School Bus Monitor salary in California
School Bus Monitors in California earn a median of $38,360 a year ($18.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,170 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $35,100. California ranks 9th of 50 states for school bus monitors pay. There are 0.07 school bus monitors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.14). The average (mean) salary is $40,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for school bus monitors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Median | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| 75th percentile | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Average (mean) | $40,120 | $19.29 |
Half of school bus monitors 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 | $3,196.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,598.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,475.38 |
| Weekly | $737.69 |
| Hourly | $18.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
School Bus Monitor salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $43,250 | 140 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $41,050 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $40,540 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $38,920 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,360 | 270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $38,220 | 110 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $36,540 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for school bus monitors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $42,330 |
| District of Columbia | $41,720 |
| Oregon | $40,900 |
| Hawaii | $40,250 |
| Vermont | $39,020 |
| Maryland | $38,750 |
| Minnesota | $38,590 |
| North Dakota | $38,480 |
| California | $38,360 |
| Maine | $38,060 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Animal Control Worker | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9094. 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 school bus monitor make in California?
The median salary for school bus monitors in California is $38,360 a year, or $18.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school bus monitors make in California?
The top 10% of school bus monitors in California earn at least $46,170 a year. The top 25% earn $43,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for school bus monitors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,520 a year, and a quarter of school bus monitors earn $36,570 or less.
How many school bus monitors work in California?
About 1,260 school bus monitors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.