South Dakota Median
$41,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $59,050
State Rank
#46 of 51
410 employed here
How much do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make in South Dakota?
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $41,590 per year, or about $20.00 per hour. That is 30% below the national median of $59,050 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $29,670 while the top 10% make $48,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,960 and $46,170 a year.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,670 | $14.26 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $41,590 | $20.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,170 | $22.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,430 | $23.28 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 46th 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 $65,220Illinois $65,200Alaska $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 $43,330Kansas $41,340West Virginia $39,260Mississippi $38,570Alabama $37,700Arkansas $37,520
Working as Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($41,590) 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 South Dakota?
The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in South Dakota is $41,590 per year, or about $20.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,670 at the entry level to $48,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity about 30% less than the national median of $59,050. South Dakota ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $41,590 a year. About 410 Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity 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 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.