SalariesTransit Bus Driver › Washington

Transit Bus Driver Salary in Washington (2026)

$72,280 /year median

$34.75 per hour · take-home ≈ $59,679/year ($4,973/month) for a single filer

Washington is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Transit Bus Drivers (2nd of 51), with a median about 19% above the national average. Of the 6,960 Transit Bus Driver jobs BLS counts in Washington, the typical worker earns $72,280 a year — though pay ranges from $55,520 for newcomers to $93,180 at the top.

Transit Bus Driver pay range in Washington

PercentileAnnual wageMeaning
10th percentile (entry) $55,520 Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this
25th percentile $61,770 A quarter earn less
Median (50th) $72,280 Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile $93,180 Top quarter starts here
90th percentile (top) $93,180 Highest-paid 10% earn more than this

BLS reports 6,960 Transit Bus Driver jobs in Washington (occupation code 53-3052, “Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity”).

Gross vs. take-home in Washington

A median Transit Bus Driver salary of $72,280 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Washington), a single filer keeps about $59,679 — an effective tax rate of 17.4%.

Gross (median)$72,280
Federal income tax−$7,072
Social Security + Medicare−$5,529
Washington state income tax−$0
Take-home (annual)$59,679
Take-home (monthly)$4,973

Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Transit Bus Driver make in Washington?
The median Transit Bus Driver salary in Washington is $72,280 per year ($34.75 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $61,770 and $93,180.
What is the take-home pay for a Transit Bus Driver in Washington?
On the median salary of $72,280, a single filer in Washington takes home about $59,679 per year ($4,973 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 17.4%.
How many Transit Bus Driver jobs are there in Washington?
BLS counts 6,960 Transit Bus Driver jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).

Top-paying states for Transit Bus Drivers

Other salaries in Washington

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 Washington 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 Washington.