Bus Driver, School Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Bus Drivers, School in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$49,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $47,920
State Rank
#19 of 51
21,230 employed here

How much does a Bus Driver, School make in Illinois?

A Bus Driver, School working in Illinois earns a median salary of $49,090 per year, or about $23.60 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $47,920 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $38,310 while the top 10% make $62,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,470 and $59,110 a year.

Bus Driver, School salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,310$18.42
25th percentile (early career)$46,470$22.34
50th percentile (median)$49,090$23.60
75th percentile (experienced)$59,110$28.42
90th percentile (top earners)$62,560$30.08

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories for Bus Driver, School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$65,170
2Washington$63,370
3Connecticut$61,520
4California$61,040
5New Jersey$59,430

Working as a Bus Driver, School in Illinois

Nationally, about 403,000 people work as Bus Drivers, School in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($49,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bus Driver, School make in Illinois?
The median Bus Driver, School salary in Illinois is $49,090 per year, or about $23.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,310 at the entry level to $62,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Bus Drivers, School about 2% more than the national median of $47,920. Illinois ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Bus Drivers, School?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,090 a year. About 21,230 Bus Drivers, School are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Bus Driver, School salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.