Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $58,930 a year ($28.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,950 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 28% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $45,890. There are 0.72 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $50,800, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| 25th percentile | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Median | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| 75th percentile | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,950 | $28.34 |
| Average (mean) | $50,800 | $24.42 |
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 | $4,910.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,455.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,266.54 |
| Weekly | $1,133.27 |
| Hourly | $28.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $57,500 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,950 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,590 | 160 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $46,740 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,720 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,680 | $16.68 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Commercial Pilot | $121,490 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $58,930 a year, or $28.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $58,950 a year. The top 25% earn $58,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,090 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $45,470 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 290 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.