Bus Drivers, School Salary in North Carolina
In North Carolina, bus drivers, schools earn $36,620 at the median, or about $17.61 an hour. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $46K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in North Carolina?
About bus drivers, schools
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level bus drivers, schools (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $46K or more, a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Bus Drivers, School salary by metro in North Carolina
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $43K | +17% | 620 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $40K | +8% | 1,640 |
| Rocky Mount | $39K | +7% | 280 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $39K | +6% | 2,520 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $38K | +3% | 2,340 |
| Asheville | $38K | +2% | 270 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $36K | -1% | 290 |
| Wilmington | $36K | -3% | 110 |
| Fayetteville | $36K | -3% | 430 |
| Burlington | $36K | -3% | 90 |
| Greenville | $36K | -3% | 200 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $35K | -3% | 70 |
| Goldsboro | $35K | -3% | 130 |
| Winston-Salem | $35K | -4% | 460 |
| Jacksonville | $34K | -7% | 120 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
Compare to other states
Track bus drivers, school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers, schools make in North Carolina?
The median is $36,620 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,110, and experienced bus drivers, schools can clear $46,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,485/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 51.7% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bus drivers, school salary is worth about $39,521 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.