South Dakota Median
$39,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $47,920
State Rank
#44 of 51
1,290 employed here
How much does a Bus Driver, School make in South Dakota?
A Bus Driver, School working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $39,730 per year, or about $19.10 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $47,920 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $33,480 while the top 10% make $50,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,980 and $46,340 a year.
Bus Driver, School salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,480 | $16.10 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,980 | $17.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,730 | $19.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,340 | $22.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,530 | $24.29 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Bus Driver, School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bus Driver, School salary in other states
Massachusetts $65,170Washington $63,370Connecticut $61,520California $61,040New Jersey $59,430Hawaii $59,090Rhode Island $58,700New York $56,640Vermont $56,580Maryland $56,450District of Columbia $55,450Alaska $54,200Utah $52,890Colorado $52,620Oregon $51,270New Hampshire $50,990North Dakota $50,790Virginia $50,190Illinois $49,090Minnesota $48,940Maine $48,640Indiana $48,020Nebraska $47,760Wisconsin $47,760Pennsylvania $47,530Missouri $46,880Michigan $46,380Iowa $46,320Idaho $46,250Montana $46,220Arizona $46,050Kansas $45,860Ohio $45,860Wyoming $45,520Arkansas $45,500New Mexico $45,470Georgia $44,950Kentucky $44,830Florida $44,690Tennessee $44,510Texas $44,490Delaware $42,390South Carolina $39,900North Carolina $37,460Nevada $37,280Oklahoma $36,920West Virginia $33,360Mississippi $30,640Louisiana $29,450Alabama $17,630
Working as a Bus Driver, School in South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($39,730) 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 South Dakota?
The median Bus Driver, School salary in South Dakota is $39,730 per year, or about $19.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,480 at the entry level to $50,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Bus Drivers, School about 17% less than the national median of $47,920. South Dakota ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Bus Drivers, School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,730 a year. About 1,290 Bus Drivers, School are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.