Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Arkansas
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Arkansas earn a median of $37,520 a year ($18.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,140 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $59,050. Arkansas ranks 51st of 51 states for bus drivers, transit and intercity pay. There are 0.44 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $40,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Median | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| 75th percentile | $43,090 | $20.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Average (mean) | $40,050 | $19.26 |
Half of bus drivers, transit and intercity 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 | $3,126.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,563.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,443.08 |
| Weekly | $721.54 |
| Hourly | $18.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $47,910 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,580 | 290 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $41,350 | 250 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $37,280 | 40 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $36,920 | 90 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $32,720 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for bus drivers, transit and intercity
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $84,480 |
| Washington | $72,280 |
| Hawaii | $68,500 |
| California | $67,130 |
| Oregon | $65,510 |
| Massachusetts | $65,460 |
| Maryland | $65,220 |
| Illinois | $65,200 |
| Alaska | $64,150 |
| Colorado | $63,010 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,550 | $24.79 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $35,640 | $17.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3052. 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, transit and intercity make in Arkansas?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Arkansas is $37,520 a year, or $18.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Arkansas earn at least $56,140 a year. The top 25% earn $43,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,550 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $34,230 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Arkansas?
About 570 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.