Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $45,700 a year ($21.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,750 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $47,770. There are 0.43 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $45,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 25th percentile | $42,150 | $20.27 |
| Median | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| 75th percentile | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,750 | $26.32 |
| Average (mean) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
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 | $3,808.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,904.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,757.69 |
| Weekly | $878.85 |
| Hourly | $21.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,100 | 1,160 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,580 | 290 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $47,570 | 80 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $46,430 | 2,590 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46,190 | 70 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,550 | $14.21 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Traffic Technician | $44,690 | $21.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $45,700 a year, or $21.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $54,750 a year. The top 25% earn $48,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,920 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $42,150 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 120 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.