Illinois Median
$65,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $59,050
State Rank
#8 of 51
8,650 employed here
How much do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make in Illinois?
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Illinois take home a median of $65,200 annually — roughly $31.35 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $59,050.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $47,270 while the top 10% make $85,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,430 and $85,990 a year.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,430 | $27.61 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,200 | $31.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in other states
New York $84,480Washington $72,280Hawaii $68,500California $67,130Oregon $65,510Massachusetts $65,460Maryland $65,220Alaska $64,150Colorado $63,010Ohio $62,760Nevada $61,700New Jersey $61,140Missouri $60,660Delaware $60,510Connecticut $60,100Indiana $58,410Maine $57,870District of Columbia $55,580New Hampshire $54,830Kentucky $54,550Arizona $53,870Vermont $53,830Virginia $52,940Wisconsin $52,660Pennsylvania $51,360Utah $50,730Oklahoma $50,300Minnesota $50,200Idaho $49,000North Dakota $48,890Louisiana $48,860Texas $48,740Rhode Island $48,610Florida $48,300Tennessee $47,770Michigan $47,660Iowa $45,890Montana $45,640Wyoming $45,630New Mexico $45,610Georgia $45,500Nebraska $45,120North Carolina $44,060South Carolina $43,330South Dakota $41,590Kansas $41,340West Virginia $39,260Mississippi $38,570Alabama $37,700Arkansas $37,520
Working as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Illinois
Nationally, about 159,000 people work as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($65,200) 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 do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make in Illinois?
The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Illinois is $65,200 per year, or about $31.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,270 at the entry level to $85,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity about 10% more than the national median of $59,050. Illinois ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,200 a year. About 8,650 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity 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.