Bus Drivers, School Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $58,460 +24.3% vs national
Median hourly $28.10
10th percentile $48,560
90th percentile $74,560
Employed locally 70
National median $47,040

Compare Bus Drivers, School salary & buying power

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Bus Drivers, School
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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,560
    25th
    $51,610
    50th (median)
    $58,460
    75th
    $63,970
    90th
    $74,560

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $65,110
    Napa, CA $64,750
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $63,590
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $63,130
    Salinas, CA $62,530
    Modesto, CA $62,480

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,860
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $41,170
    Light Truck Drivers $45,250
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,110
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $35,800
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $60,550

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bus Drivers, School make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Bus Drivers, School in Santa Cruz, CA is $28.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.60 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Bus Drivers, School salaries?

    The median Bus Drivers, School salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 24.3% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Bus Drivers, School (10th percentile) earn around $48,560 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,610.