Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$54,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $59,050
State Rank
#21 of 51
2,570 employed here

How much do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make in Kentucky?

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $54,550 per year, or about $26.23 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $59,050 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $32,020 while the top 10% make $61,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,310 and $61,100 a year.

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,020$15.39
25th percentile (early career)$38,310$18.42
50th percentile (median)$54,550$26.23
75th percentile (experienced)$61,100$29.38
90th percentile (top earners)$61,590$29.61

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$84,480
2Washington$72,280
3Hawaii$68,500
4California$67,130
5Oregon$65,510

Working as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($54,550) 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 Kentucky?
The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Kentucky is $54,550 per year, or about $26.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,020 at the entry level to $61,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity about 8% less than the national median of $59,050. Kentucky ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,550 a year. About 2,570 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.