Bus Drivers, School Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $45,380 -3.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.82
10th percentile $19,630
90th percentile $65,250
Employed locally 890
National median $47,040

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Bus Drivers, School
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $19,630
    25th
    $42,090
    50th (median)
    $45,380
    75th
    $51,080
    90th
    $65,250

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Bus Drivers, School salary vs area income 54% Median Bus Drivers, School salary is 46% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bus Drivers, School

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $67,040
    Medford, OR $66,060
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $65,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $65,110
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $65,110
    Napa, CA $64,750

    Nearby metros — Bus Drivers, School salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $59,390
    California $58,280
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $55,860
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $55,640
    Visalia, CA $54,850
    District of Columbia $54,450

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,880
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $44,530
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,330
    Light Truck Drivers $45,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,260
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $51,470

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bus Drivers, School make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Bus Drivers, School in Des Moines, IA is $21.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.22 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Bus Drivers, School salaries?

    The median Bus Drivers, School salary in Des Moines, IA is 3.5% below the national median of $47,040. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bus Drivers, School in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Bus Drivers, School (10th percentile) earn around $19,630 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,090.