Median Salary
$35,100
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$16.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$43,250
entry level starts ~$28,130
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 78,000 employed
How much does a School Bus Monitor make?
School Bus Monitors in the United States bring home a median salary of $35,100 a year, or around $16.88 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $28,130, while the top 10% earn $43,250.
That is $26,290 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
School Bus Monitor salary range by percentile
Half of all School Bus Monitors earn between $31,760 and $37,760 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,130 | $13.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,760 | $15.27 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,100 | $16.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,760 | $18.15 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,250 | $20.79 |
|
Highest-paying states for School Bus Monitor
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for School Bus Monitor pay at $42,330 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($41,720) and Oregon ($40,900). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $23,500 — a gap of $18,830 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
School Bus Monitor salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Washington $42,330District of Columbia $41,720Oregon $40,900Hawaii $40,250Vermont $39,020Maryland $38,750Minnesota $38,590North Dakota $38,480California $38,360Maine $38,060Utah $38,020New Hampshire $37,620New York $36,910Wyoming $36,810Wisconsin $36,640Delaware $36,560Virginia $36,510New Mexico $36,250New Jersey $36,100Massachusetts $36,020Rhode Island $35,910Connecticut $35,350Pennsylvania $35,290Nebraska $34,750Montana $34,740Arizona $34,560South Dakota $34,380Missouri $34,220Florida $34,110Alaska $33,990Illinois $33,840Indiana $33,590Colorado $33,540North Carolina $32,970Iowa $32,740Michigan $32,480Idaho $32,230Georgia $30,130Kansas $29,420Texas $29,300Nevada $29,230Arkansas $28,260Kentucky $28,220Alabama $28,210Oklahoma $28,130Ohio $28,110Tennessee $27,250South Carolina $26,240Louisiana $25,250Mississippi $23,500
Workforce and education
About 78,000 people work as School Bus Monitors in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a School Bus Monitor make in the United States?
The median School Bus Monitor salary in the United States is $35,100 per year, or about $16.88 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,130, while the top 10% of earners make $43,250 or more.
How does School Bus Monitor pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the School Bus Monitor median of $35,100 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays School Bus Monitors the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for School Bus Monitors, with a median salary of $42,330 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a School Bus Monitor?
Becoming a School Bus Monitor typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many School Bus Monitors work in the United States?
About 78,000 people were employed as School Bus Monitors in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.