How much does a bus driver make in California?
$61,040a year
Median yearly pay for bus drivers in California. That is $29.35 an hour or $5,087 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.35
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 16,600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,870Median: $61,040Highest 10%: $73,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,870 | $22.05 | |
| 25th | $51,110 | $24.57 | |
| Median | $61,040 | $29.35 | |
| 75th | $70,570 | $33.93 | |
| 90th | $73,680 | $35.42 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $75,230 |
| San Francisco, CA | $73,680 |
| Napa, CA | $67,430 |
| Modesto, CA | $62,870 |
| El Centro, CA | $62,610 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,390 |
| Riverside, CA | $61,900 |
| Oxnard, CA | $61,720 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $61,580 |
| Merced, CA | $61,580 |
| Stockton, CA | $61,570 |
| Hanford, CA | $60,600 |
| San Diego, CA | $60,440 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $60,420 |
| Sacramento, CA | $60,390 |
| Visalia, CA | $59,490 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $59,100 |
| Chico, CA | $58,080 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $57,050 |
| Vallejo, CA | $54,030 |
| Fresno, CA | $52,650 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $51,880 |
| Yuba City, CA | $48,010 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for bus drivers.
| 1. Massachusetts | $65,170 |
| 2. Washington | $63,370 |
| 3. Connecticut | $61,520 |
| 4. California | $61,040 |
| 5. New Jersey | $59,430 |
| 6. Hawaii | $59,090 |
| 7. Rhode Island | $58,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus driver make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $29.35 ($61,040 a year).
Do bus drivers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $61,040 against $47,920 nationally, 27% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $75,230 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.