Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $45,210 -21.3% vs national
Median hourly $21.73
10th percentile $29,170
90th percentile $56,770
Employed locally 170
National median $57,440

Compare Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary & buying power

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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,170
    25th
    $33,760
    50th (median)
    $45,210
    75th
    $47,710
    90th
    $56,770

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary vs area income 68% Median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary is 32% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York $82,420
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $81,400
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $80,870
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $79,440
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $78,220
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $77,130

    Nearby metros — Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $79,440
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $52,240
    Wisconsin $51,100
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,570
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $44,780
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $41,790

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$36,520
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,580
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$52,730
    Light Truck Drivers$40,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$40,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Columbia, SC is $21.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $25.77 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salaries?

    The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Columbia, SC is 21.3% below the national median of $57,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Columbia?

    Entry-level Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (10th percentile) earn around $29,170 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,760.