SOC 53-3051 · Wilmington, NC metro

Bus Drivers, School Salary in Wilmington, NC

The average salary for bus drivers, school in Wilmington, North Carolina is $36,780 a year ($17.68 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $36,490: half of the 140 people in this job in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($48,430).

$36,780average per year

$17.68 / hourMedian $36,490Take-home ≈ $30,774

  • $28K10th
  • $36K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $38K75th
  • $44K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

140people in this job
-24%vs U.S. average
#10 of 14North Carolina metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Bus Drivers, School pay range in Wilmington

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,840 a year or less, while the top 10% make $43,510 or more. The middle half of bus drivers, school in Wilmington earn between $35,590 and $38,000.

  • $28K10th
  • $36K25th
  • $36KMedian
  • $38K75th
  • $44K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$36,780$3,065$17.68
Median$36,490$3,041$17.54
Entry level (25th percentile)$35,590$2,966$17.11
Experienced (75th percentile)$38,000$3,167$18.27

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

Bus Drivers, School pay in Wilmington vs. North Carolina and the U.S.

Bus drivers, school in Wilmington earn 6% less than the North Carolina average ($39,250) and 24% less than the U.S. average ($48,430). At the median the gap is -24% against the U.S. median of $47,920.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Wilmington$36,780$36,490$27,840$43,510140
North Carolina$39,250$37,460$32,270$46,96012,390
United States$48,430$47,920$29,240$65,730402,930

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Bus Drivers, School salary after taxes in Wilmington

On the average salary of $36,780, a single filer in Wilmington takes home about $30,774 a year, or $2,564 a month and $1,184 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

North Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

Advertisement

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

Prices in the Wilmington area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.4), so the average $36,780 buys what about $38,145 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Wilmington ($45,800). A typical home costs $446,210, or 12.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $36,780 is worth in another city

Bus Drivers, School salary in other North Carolina cities

Wilmington ranks 10th of 14 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Charlotte pays the most ($43,450).

All Bus Drivers, School salaries in North Carolina

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

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Bus Drivers, School in Wilmington, NC.

Bus Drivers, School salary in Wilmington: questions

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

$17.68 an hour on average, and $17.54 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,840 a year and the 25th percentile is $35,590, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $30,774 a year ($2,564 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $36,780.

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

The average here is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($48,430).

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 Wilmington, NC (48900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • 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 (2026 rules).
  • 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.