Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Columbus, OH
In Columbus, OH, bus drivers, transit and intercitys earn $72,480 at the median — $34.85 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.47), that's roughly $75,919 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,430/month, or 30% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $72K get you in Columbus?
About bus drivers, transit and intercitys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbus, OH
Entry-level bus drivers, transit and intercitys (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K.Top earners bring in $72K or more - a $25K 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 Columbus numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers, transit and intercitys make in Columbus, OH?
The median is $72,480 a year - that works out to about $34.85 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,390, and experienced bus drivers, transit and intercitys can clear $72,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Columbus?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,840/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,430/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a bus drivers, transit and intercity salary go in Columbus?
Columbus has a Regional Price Parity of 95.47 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bus drivers, transit and intercity salary is worth about $75,919 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.