SOC 53-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, School — New Mexico
New Mexico · 3 metro areas compared
At $45,470, median pay for Bus Drivers, School in New Mexico tracks the national median of $47,920 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $45,470, median pay for Bus Drivers, School in New Mexico tracks the national median of $47,920 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,990 and $56,170. The lowest tenth earn under $31,020, while the highest tenth earn more than $65,140.
Employment stands at 1,870, or 2.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, New Mexico ranks 36th by median wage. Farmington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,260. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 451st of 634 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,020 | −35.3% |
| 25th | $37,990 | −20.7% |
| Median (50th) | $45,470 | −5.1% |
| 75th | $56,170 | +17.2% |
| 90th | $65,140 | +35.9% |
| Mean | $46,790 | −2.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $46,260 | 180 | |
| 2 | Albuquerque | $45,470 | 610 | |
| 3 | Santa Fe | $40,760 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $45,470 goes as far as $49,317 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,317US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,470 a year, 5.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,020 to $65,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,870 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Farmington, at $46,260.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, School in New Mexico?
The median annual wage is $45,470, or $21.86 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 New Mexico is 5.1% 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 New Mexico earns more than $65,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,020 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 Farmington, at $46,260 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,870 jobs in this occupation in New Mexico. 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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