Bus Drivers, School Salary in Bellingham, WA
In Bellingham, WA, bus drivers, schools earn $64,080 at the median — $30.81 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.33), that's roughly $62,015 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,794/month — about 40.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $64K get you in Bellingham?
About bus drivers, schools
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Bellingham, WA
Entry-level bus drivers, schools (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K.Top earners bring in $68K or more - a $13K spread from bottom to top.
Bus Drivers, School pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $63K | +34% | 10,240 |
| Washington | $60K | +28% | 9,420 |
| Connecticut | $59K | +26% | 6,980 |
| New Jersey | $59K | +26% | 12,200 |
| California | $58K | +24% | 14,580 |
| New York | $57K | +20% | 37,520 |
| District of Columbia | $54K | +16% | 530 |
| Oregon | $52K | +11% | 4,460 |
| Utah | $51K | +9% | 1,430 |
| Hawaii | $51K | +9% | 530 |
| Maryland | $51K | +9% | 8,320 |
| North Dakota | $50K | +7% | 1,580 |
| Alaska | $50K | +6% | 660 |
| Vermont | $50K | +6% | 1,020 |
| Illinois | $50K | +6% | 20,060 |
Track bus drivers, school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Bellingham numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers, schools make in Bellingham, WA?
The median is $64,080 a year - that works out to about $30.81 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,710, and experienced bus drivers, schools can clear $67,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Bellingham?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,456/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,794/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bus drivers, school salary go in Bellingham?
Bellingham has a Regional Price Parity of 103.33 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bus drivers, school salary is worth about $62,015 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bus drivers, schools get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.