SOC 53-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, School — Montana
Montana · 5 metro areas compared
At $46,220, median pay for Bus Drivers, School in Montana tracks the national median of $47,920 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $46,220, median pay for Bus Drivers, School in Montana tracks the national median of $47,920 closely. Pay ranges from under $36,120 at the tenth percentile to more than $57,870 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $39,840 to $48,620.
Employment stands at 1,630, or 3.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Montana ranks number 30th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Helena records the highest median at $56,760. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 441st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,120 | −24.6% |
| 25th | $39,840 | −16.9% |
| Median (50th) | $46,220 | −3.5% |
| 75th | $48,620 | +1.5% |
| 90th | $57,870 | +20.8% |
| Mean | $46,780 | −2.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $56,760 | 120 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $46,650 | 180 | |
| 3 | Bozeman | $46,510 | 110 | |
| 4 | Billings | $46,220 | 180 | |
| 5 | Great Falls | $41,910 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $46,220 goes as far as $48,858 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,858US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,220 a year, 3.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,120 to $57,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,630 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 30th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Helena, at $56,760.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, School in Montana?
The median annual wage is $46,220, or $22.22 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 Montana is 3.5% 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 Montana earns more than $57,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,120 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 Helena, at $56,760 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,630 jobs in this occupation in Montana. 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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