Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $51,010 a year ($24.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,150 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 22% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $65,200. There are 3.7 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,350 | $19.40 |
| 25th percentile | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Median | $51,010 | $24.53 |
| 75th percentile | $81,150 | $39.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,150 | $39.01 |
| Average (mean) | $58,890 | $28.31 |
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 | $4,250.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,125.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,961.92 |
| Weekly | $980.96 |
| Hourly | $24.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $65,200 | 7,080 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,080 | 1,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,500 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $50,930 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,200 | 190 |
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 |
See Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Parking Attendant | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $40,650 | $19.55 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $51,010 a year, or $24.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $81,150 a year. The top 25% earn $81,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,350 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $49,610 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 390 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.