Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, bus drivers, transit and intercitys earn $69,990 at the median — $33.65 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $67,564 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 38.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $70K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About bus drivers, transit and intercitys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level bus drivers, transit and intercitys (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K.Top earners bring in $84K or more - a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $82K | +43% | 16,550 |
| Washington | $70K | +22% | 7,100 |
| Illinois | $70K | +22% | 7,580 |
| Maryland | $69K | +21% | 4,680 |
| Hawaii | $69K | +20% | 2,130 |
| Oregon | $63K | +10% | 2,730 |
| Massachusetts | $63K | +9% | 3,850 |
| California | $62K | +9% | 23,500 |
| Alaska | $62K | +8% | 190 |
| New Jersey | $62K | +8% | 5,850 |
| Connecticut | $57K | -1% | 2,130 |
| Ohio | $54K | -5% | 3,730 |
| Missouri | $54K | -6% | 1,460 |
| New Hampshire | $54K | -6% | 260 |
| Maine | $53K | -7% | 320 |
Track bus drivers, transit and intercity salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers, transit and intercitys make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $69,990 a year - that works out to about $33.65 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,440, and experienced bus drivers, transit and intercitys can clear $84,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,513/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 39.5% 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, transit and intercity salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (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, transit and intercity salary is worth about $67,564 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bus drivers, transit and intercitys 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.