Salaries › Transit Bus Driver › North Carolina
Transit Bus Driver Salary in North Carolina (2026)
$21.18 per hour · take-home ≈ $36,333/year ($3,028/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 44th of 51 states for Transit Bus Driver pay, with a median about 27% below the national average. Of the 2,900 Transit Bus Driver jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $44,060 a year — though pay ranges from $35,610 for newcomers to $57,330 at the top.
Transit Bus Driver pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $35,610 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,960 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $44,060 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $46,840 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $57,330 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,900 Transit Bus Driver jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 53-3052, “Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Transit Bus Driver salary of $44,060 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $36,333 — an effective tax rate of 17.5%.
| Gross (median) | $44,060 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,107 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,371 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$1,249 |
| Take-home (annual) | $36,333 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,028 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Transit Bus Driver make in North Carolina?
- The median Transit Bus Driver salary in North Carolina is $44,060 per year ($21.18 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,960 and $46,840.
- What is the take-home pay for a Transit Bus Driver in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $44,060, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $36,333 per year ($3,028 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.5%.
- How many Transit Bus Driver jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 2,900 Transit Bus Driver jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Transit Bus Drivers
Other salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.