SOC 53-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, School — Northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northern New Mexico, NM comes to $52,530 a year, ahead of the national median of $47,920 by 9.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northern New Mexico, NM comes to $52,530 a year, ahead of the national median of $47,920 by 9.6%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $34,920 and $54,660. The lowest tenth earn under $28,940, while the highest tenth earn more than $56,200.
Employment stands at 240, or 2.9 jobs per thousand held locally. 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 152nd of 273 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,940 | −39.6% |
| 25th | $34,920 | −27.1% |
| Median (50th) | $52,530 | +9.6% |
| 75th | $54,660 | +14.1% |
| 90th | $56,200 | +17.3% |
| Mean | $47,330 | −1.2% |
Other 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 Northern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $52,530 goes as far as $56,974 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,974US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,530 a year, 9.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,940 to $56,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 240 jobs in 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 Northern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $52,530, or $25.26 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 Northern New Mexico, NM is 9.6% higher. 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 Northern New Mexico, NM earns more than $56,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,940 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 240 jobs in this occupation in Northern New Mexico, NM. 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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