School Bus Monitor salary in Columbia, SC
School Bus Monitors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $27,780 a year ($13.36 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $17,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,410 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $35,100. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $26,240. The average (mean) salary is $26,960, close to the median.
Pay range for school bus monitors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,840 | $8.58 |
| 25th percentile | $21,400 | $10.29 |
| Median | $27,780 | $13.36 |
| 75th percentile | $27,780 | $13.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Average (mean) | $26,960 | $12.96 |
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 | $2,315 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,157.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,068.46 |
| Weekly | $534.23 |
| Hourly | $13.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
School Bus Monitor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,120 | 390 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $33,120 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $27,770 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $26,240 | n/a |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $20,190 | 180 |
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 |
See School Bus Monitor pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.90 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,720 | $12.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Firefighter | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,830 | $29.73 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for school bus monitors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $27,780 a year, or $13.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school bus monitors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of school bus monitors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $35,410 a year. The top 25% earn $27,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for school bus monitors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,840 a year, and a quarter of school bus monitors earn $21,400 or less.