How much does a bus driver make in Washington?
$65,220a year
Median yearly pay for bus drivers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $31.36 an hour or $5,435 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.36
- Vs. national median
- +10%
- Rank among cities
- 21 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 4,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,360Median: $65,220Highest 10%: $92,320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,360 | $24.21 | |
| 25th | $55,260 | $26.57 | |
| Median | $65,220 | $31.36 | |
| 75th | $81,480 | $39.17 | |
| 90th | $92,320 | $44.38 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for bus drivers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $209,800 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $174,900 |
| Commercial Pilot | $125,900 |
| Ship Engineer | $122,100 |
| Transportation Inspector | $97,170 |
| Captain | $94,150 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $92,120 |
| Traffic Technician | $70,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $67,960 |
| Motor Vehicle Operator | $64,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus driver make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $31.36 ($65,220 a year).
Do bus drivers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $65,220 against $59,050 nationally, 10% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $55,580, so Washington pays 17% more.
Where does Washington rank for bus driver pay?
21 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a bus driver make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,360 or less a year; the top 10% make $92,320 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.