Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

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

Median annual salary $80,870 +40.8% vs national
Median hourly $38.88
10th percentile $50,210
90th percentile $80,870
Employed locally 190
National median $57,440

Compare Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary & buying power

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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
in
Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,210
    25th
    $65,960
    50th (median)
    $80,870
    75th
    $80,870
    90th
    $80,870

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary vs area income 74% Median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary is 26% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $79,440
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $78,220
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $77,130
    Columbus, OH $72,480

    Nearby metros — Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $79,440
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $69,990
    Salinas, CA $69,560
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $65,100
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $63,820
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $63,000

    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, Transit and Intercity make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Santa Cruz, CA is $38.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.11 or more per hour.

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

    The median Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 40.8% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (10th percentile) earn around $50,210 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,960.