Bus Driver, School Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$37,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $47,920
State Rank
#45 of 51
12,390 employed here

How much does a Bus Driver, School make in North Carolina?

A Bus Driver, School working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $37,460 per year, or about $18.01 per hour. That is 22% below the national median of $47,920 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $32,270 while the top 10% make $46,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,370 and $44,480 a year.

Bus Driver, School salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,270$15.51
25th percentile (early career)$35,370$17.00
50th percentile (median)$37,460$18.01
75th percentile (experienced)$44,480$21.38
90th percentile (top earners)$46,960$22.58

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 45th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($37,460) 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 North Carolina?
The median Bus Driver, School salary in North Carolina is $37,460 per year, or about $18.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,270 at the entry level to $46,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Bus Drivers, School about 22% less than the national median of $47,920. North Carolina ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Bus Drivers, School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,460 a year. About 12,390 Bus Drivers, School are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.