SOC 53-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, School — East Arkansas
East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
In East Arkansas, AR the median wage is $38,080.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In East Arkansas, AR the median wage is $38,080. That is 20.5% lower than the national median of $47,920. Pay ranges from under $23,140 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $26,620 to $48,970.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.31 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Fayetteville records the highest median at $47,120. Of the 238 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 153rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,140 | −51.7% |
| 25th | $26,620 | −44.4% |
| Median (50th) | $38,080 | −20.5% |
| 75th | $48,970 | +2.2% |
| 90th | $61,210 | +27.7% |
| Mean | $41,270 | −13.9% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $47,120 | 590 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $46,790 | 210 | |
| 3 | Hot Springs | $46,040 | 80 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $40,720 | 260 | |
| 5 | Little Rock | $39,830 | 990 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $38,080 goes as far as $43,820 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,820US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,080 a year, 20.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,140 to $61,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $47,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, School in East Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $38,080, or $18.31 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $47,920, so pay in East Arkansas, AR is 20.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in East Arkansas, AR earns more than $61,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,140 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fayetteville, at $47,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 jobs in this occupation in East Arkansas, AR. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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