How much does a bus driver make in California?
$67,130a year
Median yearly pay for bus drivers in California. That is $32.27 an hour or $5,594 a month.
- Hourly
- $32.27
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 24,380
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,600Median: $67,130Highest 10%: $90,810
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,600 | $23.37 | |
| 25th | $55,540 | $26.70 | |
| Median | $67,130 | $32.27 | |
| 75th | $76,920 | $36.98 | |
| 90th | $90,810 | $43.66 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $78,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $71,290 |
| Sacramento, CA | $70,680 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $68,020 |
| Fresno, CA | $62,170 |
| San Diego, CA | $61,290 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $60,320 |
| Napa, CA | $59,560 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $57,780 |
| Riverside, CA | $56,940 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $54,140 |
| Oxnard, CA | $53,560 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $49,000 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for bus drivers.
| 1. New York | $84,480 |
| 2. Washington | $72,280 |
| 3. Hawaii | $68,500 |
| 4. California | $67,130 |
| 5. Oregon | $65,510 |
| 6. Massachusetts | $65,460 |
| 7. Maryland | $65,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus driver make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $32.27 ($67,130 a year).
Do bus drivers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $67,130 against $59,050 nationally, 14% more.
Where does California rank for bus driver pay?
California ranks 4 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays bus drivers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $78,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.