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How much does a bus driver make in Columbia?

$36,960a year

Median yearly pay for bus drivers in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $17.77 an hour or $3,080 a month.

Hourly
$17.77
Vs. national median
-23%
Rank among cities
297 of 348
Jobs in the area
990
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,790Median: $36,960Highest 10%: $57,150
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$28,790$13.84
25th$30,630$14.73
Median$36,960$17.77
75th$48,800$23.46
90th$57,150$27.48

Other cities in South Carolina

Median yearly pay for bus drivers.

Charleston, SC$46,460
Charlotte, NC$46,020
Spartanburg, SC$45,630
Greenville, SC$43,940
Florence, SC$35,460
Hilton Head Island, SC$31,650
Myrtle Beach, SC$30,070
Augusta, GA$21,220
Bus Driver salary in South Carolina Bus Driver salary in all states

Related jobs in Columbia

Same field, median yearly pay.

Commercial Pilot$92,300
Crane and Tower Operator$65,870
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker$62,860
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver$51,280
Bus Driver$44,750
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$43,500
Light Truck Driver$37,600
Laborer and Freight$37,530
Conveyor Operator and Tender$37,230
Stocker and Order Filler$37,180
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SC

Frequently asked questions

How much does a bus driver make an hour in Columbia?

The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $17.77 ($36,960 a year).

Do bus drivers make more in Columbia than the national average?

No: $36,960 against $47,920 nationally, 23% less.

How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?

The median in South Carolina is $39,900, so Columbia pays 7% less.

Where does Columbia rank for bus driver pay?

297 of 348 metro areas with data.

How much does a bus driver make starting out in Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% make $28,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $57,150 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.