How much does a bus driver make in Chicago?
$49,180a year
Median yearly pay for bus drivers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $23.64 an hour or $4,098 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.64
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 102 of 348
- Jobs in the area
- 15,210
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,360Median: $49,180Highest 10%: $62,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,360 | $18.44 | |
| 25th | $47,560 | $22.87 | |
| Median | $49,180 | $23.64 | |
| 75th | $59,930 | $28.81 | |
| 90th | $62,600 | $30.10 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for bus drivers.
| Decatur, IL | $54,830 |
| Peoria, IL | $48,100 |
| St. Louis, MO | $48,100 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $47,550 |
| Davenport, IA | $46,720 |
| Springfield, IL | $46,450 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,560 |
| Bloomington, IL | $45,500 |
| Champaign, IL | $45,240 |
| Kankakee, IL | $44,870 |
| Paducah, KY | $37,750 |
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 $23.64 ($49,180 a year).
Do bus drivers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $49,180 against $47,920 nationally, 3% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $49,090, so Chicago pays 0% more.
Where does Chicago rank for bus driver pay?
102 of 348 metro areas with data.
How much does a bus driver make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,360 or less a year; the top 10% make $62,600 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.