How much does a bus driver make in Chicago?
$65,200a year
Median yearly pay for bus drivers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $31.35 an hour or $5,433 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.35
- Vs. national median
- +10%
- Rank among cities
- 22 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 7,080
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,160Median: $65,200Highest 10%: $85,990
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,160 | $25.08 | |
| 25th | $61,720 | $29.67 | |
| Median | $65,200 | $31.35 | |
| 75th | $85,990 | $41.34 | |
| 90th | $85,990 | $41.34 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for bus drivers.
| St. Louis, MO | $61,080 |
| Davenport, IA | $57,500 |
| Champaign, IL | $51,010 |
| Peoria, IL | $50,930 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,200 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus driver make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $31.35 ($65,200 a year).
Do bus drivers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $65,200 against $59,050 nationally, 10% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $65,200, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for bus driver pay?
22 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a bus driver make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,160 or less a year; the top 10% make $85,990 or more.
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.