SOC 53-3051 · Chico, CA metro

Bus Drivers, School Salary in Chico, CA

The average salary for bus drivers, school in Chico, California is $58,200 a year ($27.98 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $58,080: half of the 60 people in this job in the Chico, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 17% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($49,634).

$58,200average per year

$27.98 / hourMedian $58,080Take-home ≈ $47,259

  • $36K10th
  • $45K25th
  • $58KMedian
  • $76K75th
  • $76K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

60people in this job
+17%vs U.S. metro average
#14 of 23California metros
101cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Bus Drivers, School pay range in Chico

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $75,890 or more. The middle half of bus drivers, school in Chico earn between $45,460 and $75,890.

  • $36K10th
  • $45K25th
  • $58KMedian
  • $76K75th
  • $76K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$58,200$4,850$27.98
Median$58,080$4,840$27.92
Entry level (25th percentile)$45,460$3,788$21.86
Experienced (75th percentile)$75,890$6,324$36.49

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.

Bus Drivers, School salary after taxes in Chico

On the average salary of $58,200, a single filer in Chico takes home about $47,259 a year, or $3,938 a month and $1,818 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

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Is Chico a good place for bus drivers, school? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Chico area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.2), so the average $58,200 buys what about $57,512 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Chico ($48,050). A typical home costs $401,581, or 6.9 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $58,200 is worth in another city

Bus Drivers, School salary in other California cities

Chico ranks 14th of 23 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($70,900).

All Bus Drivers, School salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for bus drivers, school

San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($70,900).

Bus Drivers, School salary by city

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Bus Drivers, School salary in Chico: questions

How much do bus drivers, school make an hour in Chico?

$27.98 an hour on average, and $27.92 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level bus drivers, school salary in Chico?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,460, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the bus drivers, school take-home pay in Chico?

About $47,259 a year ($3,938 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $58,200. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do bus drivers, school earn more in Chico than elsewhere?

The average here is 17% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($49,634).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-3051; area Chico, CA (17020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.1%.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.28, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.28).

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.