Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Topeka, KS
In Topeka, KS, bus drivers, transit and intercities earn $49,890 at the median — $23.99 an hour. The range runs from $25K at the entry level to $50K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.82), which stretches that salary to about $56,170 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,057/month — about 31.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $50K get you in Topeka?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Topeka’s Regional Price Parity (88.82). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction.
About bus drivers, transit and intercities
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Topeka, KS
Entry-level bus drivers, transit and intercities (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $50K 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 |
| Delaware | $53K | -8% | 420 |
| Vermont | $53K | -9% | 410 |
| Minnesota | $52K | -9% | 2,370 |
| Virginia | $51K | -11% | 4,040 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | -11% | 2,280 |
| District of Columbia | $50K | -12% | 120 |
| Indiana | $50K | -12% | 1,710 |
| Kentucky | $50K | -12% | 2,410 |
| Rhode Island | $50K | -13% | 90 |
| Utah | $50K | -14% | 1,120 |
| Texas | $49K | -15% | 9,510 |
| Arizona | $49K | -15% | 2,850 |
| Tennessee | $48K | -16% | 2,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $48K | -16% | 4,300 |
| Louisiana | $48K | -16% | 1,270 |
| Montana | $47K | -19% | 550 |
| Florida | $47K | -19% | 7,620 |
| Michigan | $47K | -19% | 3,080 |
| Georgia | $46K | -20% | 3,180 |
| West Virginia | $45K | -21% | 580 |
| Kansas | $44K | -23% | 410 |
| Wyoming | $44K | -24% | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $44K | -24% | 1,330 |
| Idaho | $43K | -24% | 340 |
| New Mexico | $43K | -24% | 680 |
| Nebraska | $43K | -25% | 550 |
| Nevada | $43K | -25% | 2,520 |
| North Carolina | $42K | -27% | 2,460 |
| South Dakota | $40K | -30% | 310 |
| Iowa | $40K | -30% | 1,970 |
| North Dakota | $39K | -32% | 240 |
| South Carolina | $39K | -33% | 720 |
| Mississippi | $38K | -35% | 340 |
| Alabama | $37K | -35% | 1,020 |
| Arkansas | $37K | -36% | 570 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track bus drivers, transit and intercity salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bus drivers, transit and intercities make in Topeka, KS?
The median is $49,890 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,500, and experienced bus drivers, transit and intercities can clear $49,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Topeka?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,328/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,057/month, which eats 31.8% 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 Topeka?
Topeka has a Regional Price Parity of 88.82 (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 $56,170 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bus drivers, transit and intercities 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.