Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in California
In California, the median pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity is $32.27 an hour ($67,130 a year). About 24,380 people work in this job there.
That is 14% higher than the U.S. median ($59,050). California ranks 4th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.37 | $48,600 |
| 25% of workers | $26.70 | $55,540 |
| Half of workers (median) | $32.27 | $67,130 |
| 75% of workers | $36.98 | $76,920 |
| 90% of workers | $43.66 | $90,810 |
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $78,900 | 5,540 |
| Salinas | $71,290 | 180 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $70,680 | 810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $68,020 | 10,140 |
| Fresno | $62,170 | 0 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $61,290 | 1,720 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $60,320 | 180 |
| Napa | $59,560 | 170 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $57,780 | 370 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $56,940 | 1,550 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $54,140 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $53,560 | 190 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $49,000 | 330 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.1% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 21,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $46,790 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,730 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $61,040 |
| Taxi Drivers | $39,260 |
| Passenger Attendants | $43,340 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $77,070 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $69,950 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.