Bus Drivers, School salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Bus Drivers, School in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $50,190 a year ($24.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $50,190. There are 3.1 bus drivers, school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, school in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| 25th percentile | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Median | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| 75th percentile | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,200 | $29.91 |
| Average (mean) | $52,890 | $25.43 |
Half of bus drivers, school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,182.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,091.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,930.38 |
| Weekly | $965.19 |
| Hourly | $24.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Bus Drivers, School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $57,610 | 8,620 |
| Richmond, VA | $49,370 | 2,070 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,820 | 450 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,210 | 470 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $47,970 | 300 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $47,670 | 300 |
| Roanoke, VA | $46,380 | 550 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,260 | 350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,020 | 3,970 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $45,950 | 220 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $45,700 | 190 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $40,650 | 500 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $40,600 | 270 |
| Asheville, NC | $38,620 | 260 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $38,530 | 2,120 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $37,280 | 1,030 |
| Burlington, NC | $36,990 | 70 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $36,970 | 250 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $36,820 | 630 |
| Greenville, NC | $36,500 | 190 |
| Wilmington, NC | $36,490 | 140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $35,790 | 60 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $35,190 | 130 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $35,050 | 450 |
Highest-paying states for bus drivers, school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $65,170 |
| Washington | $63,370 |
| Connecticut | $61,520 |
| California | $61,040 |
| New Jersey | $59,430 |
| Hawaii | $59,090 |
| Rhode Island | $58,700 |
| New York | $56,640 |
| Vermont | $56,580 |
| Maryland | $56,450 |
See Bus Drivers, School pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $34,460 | $16.57 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,140 | $29.39 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,190 | $15.96 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $86,940 | $41.80 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bus drivers, school make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for bus drivers, school in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $50,190 a year, or $24.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, school make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of bus drivers, school in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $62,200 a year. The top 25% earn $59,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, school in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,480 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, school earn $46,300 or less.
How many bus drivers, school work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 2,390 bus drivers, school are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.