Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $83,430 a year ($40.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,180 for the top 10%. That is 41% higher than the national median of $59,050. Pay here is 15% higher than the Washington statewide median of $72,280. There are 2.1 bus drivers, transit and intercity per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,800, close to the median.
Pay range for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| 25th percentile | $65,560 | $31.52 |
| Median | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| 75th percentile | $93,180 | $44.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,180 | $44.80 |
| Average (mean) | $79,800 | $38.37 |
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 | $6,952.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,476.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,208.85 |
| Weekly | $1,604.42 |
| Hourly | $40.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,170 | 2,130 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $65,360 | 250 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,250 | 420 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $41,570 | $19.98 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $46,180 | $22.20 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $229,900 | — |
| Parking Attendant | $43,790 | $21.06 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $83,430 a year, or $40.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bus drivers, transit and intercity make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of bus drivers, transit and intercity in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $93,180 a year. The top 25% earn $93,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for bus drivers, transit and intercity in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,750 a year, and a quarter of bus drivers, transit and intercity earn $65,560 or less.
How many bus drivers, transit and intercity work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 4,430 bus drivers, transit and intercity are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.