Bus Driver, School Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$44,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $47,920
State Rank
#38 of 51
6,820 employed here

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

Bus Drivers, School in Kentucky take home a median of $44,830 annually — roughly $21.55 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $47,920.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $36,760 while the top 10% make $63,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,530 and $48,310 a year.

Bus Driver, School salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,760$17.67
25th percentile (early career)$38,530$18.52
50th percentile (median)$44,830$21.55
75th percentile (experienced)$48,310$23.23
90th percentile (top earners)$63,470$30.51

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 38th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($44,830) 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 Kentucky?
The median Bus Driver, School salary in Kentucky is $44,830 per year, or about $21.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,760 at the entry level to $63,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Bus Drivers, School about 6% less than the national median of $47,920. Kentucky ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Bus Drivers, School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,830 a year. About 6,820 Bus Drivers, School are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.