Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity is $31.35 an hour ($65,200 a year). About 8,650 people work in this job there.
That is 10% higher than the U.S. median ($59,050). Illinois ranks 8th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $22.73 | $47,270 |
| 25% of workers | $27.61 | $57,430 |
| Half of workers (median) | $31.35 | $65,200 |
| 75% of workers | $41.34 | $85,990 |
| 90% of workers | $41.34 | $85,990 |
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $65,200 | 7,080 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $51,010 | 390 |
| Peoria | $50,930 | 210 |
| Rockford | $48,200 | 190 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $47,380 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,090 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,590 |
| School Bus Monitors | $33,840 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $79,820 |
| Locomotive Engineers | $93,320 |
| Passenger Attendants | $38,930 |
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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.