How much does a bus driver make in Des Moines?
$58,930a year
Median yearly pay for bus drivers in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $28.33 an hour or $4,911 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.33
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 47 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 290
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,090Median: $58,930Highest 10%: $58,950
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,090 | $15.43 | |
| 25th | $45,470 | $21.86 | |
| Median | $58,930 | $28.33 | |
| 75th | $58,950 | $28.34 | |
| 90th | $58,950 | $28.34 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for bus drivers.
| Davenport, IA | $57,500 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,950 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,590 |
| Omaha, NE | $46,740 |
| Sioux City, IA | $43,720 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $161,000 |
| Commercial Pilot | $121,500 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $75,760 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $61,340 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $60,720 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $56,990 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $49,080 |
| Laborer and Freight | $46,370 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 |
| Bus Driver | $46,210 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus driver make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $28.33 ($58,930 a year).
Do bus drivers make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $58,930 against $59,050 nationally, 0% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $45,890, so Des Moines pays 28% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for bus driver pay?
47 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a bus driver make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,090 or less a year; the top 10% make $58,950 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.