Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$44,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $59,050
State Rank
#44 of 51
2,900 employed here

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

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in North Carolina take home a median of $44,060 annually — roughly $21.18 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $59,050.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $35,610 while the top 10% make $57,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,960 and $46,840 a year.

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,610$17.12
25th percentile (early career)$39,960$19.21
50th percentile (median)$44,060$21.18
75th percentile (experienced)$46,840$22.52
90th percentile (top earners)$57,330$27.56

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 44th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($44,060) 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 North Carolina?
The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in North Carolina is $44,060 per year, or about $21.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,610 at the entry level to $57,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity about 25% less than the national median of $59,050. North Carolina ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,060 a year. About 2,900 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.