Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $44,760 -22.1% vs national
Median hourly $21.52
10th percentile $31,230
90th percentile $58,270
Employed locally 310
National median $57,440

Compare Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary & buying power

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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,230
    25th
    $31,230
    50th (median)
    $44,760
    75th
    $58,270
    90th
    $58,270

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary vs area income 53% Median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary is 47% 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
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $77,130
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $64,040
    California $62,430
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $60,700
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $60,380
    Peoria, IL $60,300

    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, Transit and Intercity make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Des Moines, IA is $21.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Des Moines, IA is 22.1% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (10th percentile) earn around $31,230 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,230.