Bus Driver, School Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$58,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $47,920
State Rank
#7 of 51
1,800 employed here

How much does a Bus Driver, School make in Rhode Island?

Bus Drivers, School in Rhode Island take home a median of $58,700 annually — roughly $28.22 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $47,920.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $47,780 while the top 10% make $67,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,640 and $62,010 a year.

Bus Driver, School salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,780$22.97
25th percentile (early career)$48,640$23.38
50th percentile (median)$58,700$28.22
75th percentile (experienced)$62,010$29.81
90th percentile (top earners)$67,180$32.30

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 7th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($58,700) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Bus Driver, School salary in Rhode Island is $58,700 per year, or about $28.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,780 at the entry level to $67,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Bus Drivers, School about 22% more than the national median of $47,920. Rhode Island ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Bus Drivers, School?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,700 a year. About 1,800 Bus Drivers, School are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.