Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $65,200 a year ($31.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,990 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $65,200. There are 1.6 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,160 | $25.08 |
| 25th percentile | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Median | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| 75th percentile | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Average (mean) | $70,760 | $34.02 |
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 | $5,433.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,716.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,507.69 |
| Weekly | $1,253.85 |
| Hourly | $31.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $61,470 | 960 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,100 | 1,130 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,080 | 1,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,500 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $56,110 | 1,060 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $51,010 | 390 |
| Peoria, IL | $50,930 | 210 |
| Evansville, IN | $49,430 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,200 | 190 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $46,910 | 30 |
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,490 | $19.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Taxi Driver | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $65,200 a year, or $31.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $85,990 a year. The top 25% earn $85,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,160 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $61,720 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 7,080 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.