Salaries › Transit Bus Driver › South Dakota
Transit Bus Driver Salary in South Dakota (2026)
$19.99 per hour · take-home ≈ $35,598/year ($2,966/month) for a single filer
South Dakota ranks 46th of 51 states for Transit Bus Driver pay, with a median about 31% below the national average. Of the 410 Transit Bus Driver jobs BLS counts in South Dakota, the typical worker earns $41,590 a year — though pay ranges from $29,670 for newcomers to $48,430 at the top.
Transit Bus Driver pay range in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $29,670 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $37,960 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $41,590 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $46,170 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $48,430 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 410 Transit Bus Driver jobs in South Dakota (occupation code 53-3052, “Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Dakota
A median Transit Bus Driver salary of $41,590 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in South Dakota), a single filer keeps about $35,598 — an effective tax rate of 14.4%.
| Gross (median) | $41,590 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,811 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,182 |
| South Dakota state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $35,598 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,966 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Dakota paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Transit Bus Driver make in South Dakota?
- The median Transit Bus Driver salary in South Dakota is $41,590 per year ($19.99 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $37,960 and $46,170.
- What is the take-home pay for a Transit Bus Driver in South Dakota?
- On the median salary of $41,590, a single filer in South Dakota takes home about $35,598 per year ($2,966 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 14.4%.
- How many Transit Bus Driver jobs are there in South Dakota?
- BLS counts 410 Transit Bus Driver jobs in South Dakota in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Transit Bus Drivers
Other salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota.