Bus Driver, School Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$44,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $47,920
State Rank
#40 of 51
7,050 employed here

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

Bus Drivers, School in Tennessee take home a median of $44,510 annually — roughly $21.40 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $47,920.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $22,900 while the top 10% make $61,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,650 and $51,150 a year.

Bus Driver, School salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,900$11.01
25th percentile (early career)$27,650$13.29
50th percentile (median)$44,510$21.40
75th percentile (experienced)$51,150$24.59
90th percentile (top earners)$61,600$29.62

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 40th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($44,510) 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 Tennessee?
The median Bus Driver, School salary in Tennessee is $44,510 per year, or about $21.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,900 at the entry level to $61,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Bus Drivers, School about 7% less than the national median of $47,920. Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Bus Drivers, School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,510 a year. About 7,050 Bus Drivers, School are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.