Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Wisconsin
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Wisconsin earn a median of $52,660 a year ($25.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,810 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $59,050. Wisconsin ranks 25th of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 0.76 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $53,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,740 | $21.03 |
| 25th percentile | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Median | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| 75th percentile | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Average (mean) | $53,420 | $25.68 |
Half of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,388.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,194.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,025.38 |
| Weekly | $1,012.69 |
| Hourly | $25.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,360 | 980 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $59,660 | 40 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $57,050 | 1,500 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $52,540 | n/a |
| Wausau, WI | $44,440 | 60 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $43,740 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for bus drivers, transit and intercity
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $84,480 |
| Washington | $72,280 |
| Hawaii | $68,500 |
| California | $67,130 |
| Oregon | $65,510 |
| Massachusetts | $65,460 |
| Maryland | $65,220 |
| Illinois | $65,200 |
| Alaska | $64,150 |
| Colorado | $63,010 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,000 | $16.34 |
| Taxi Driver | $27,820 | $13.37 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $37,450 | $18.00 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | $16.96 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Wisconsin?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Wisconsin is $52,660 a year, or $25.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Wisconsin earn at least $63,810 a year. The top 25% earn $61,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,740 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $46,310 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Wisconsin?
About 2,220 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.