Salaries › Bus Driver › California
Bus Driver Salary in California (2026)
$29.35 per hour · take-home ≈ $49,361/year ($4,113/month) for a single filer
Bus Driver pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $45,870 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $51,110 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $61,040 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $70,570 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $73,680 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 16,600 Bus Driver jobs in California (occupation code 53-3051, “Bus Drivers, School”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Bus Driver salary of $61,040 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $49,361 — an effective tax rate of 19.1%.
| Gross (median) | $61,040 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,145 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,670 |
| California state income tax | −$1,865 |
| Take-home (annual) | $49,361 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,113 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Bus Driver make in California?
- The median Bus Driver salary in California is $61,040 per year ($29.35 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $51,110 and $70,570.
- What is the take-home pay for a Bus Driver in California?
- On the median salary of $61,040, a single filer in California takes home about $49,361 per year ($4,113 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.1%.
- How many Bus Driver jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 16,600 Bus Driver jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Bus Drivers
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.