SOC 53-3052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — East Tennessee
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
At $39,530, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, 33.1% beneath the national figure of $59,050.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $39,530, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, 33.1% beneath the national figure of $59,050. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,160 and $44,040. The lowest tenth earn under $39,160, while the highest tenth earn more than $44,440.
Employment stands at 110, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Nashville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $52,100. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 235th of 340 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,160 | −33.7% |
| 25th | $39,160 | −33.7% |
| Median (50th) | $39,530 | −33.1% |
| 75th | $44,040 | −25.4% |
| 90th | $44,440 | −24.7% |
| Mean | $41,800 | −29.2% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $52,100 | 1,160 | |
| 2 | Memphis | $47,580 | 290 | |
| 3 | Clarksville | $46,190 | 70 | |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $45,700 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $39,530 goes as far as $43,014 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 27.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,014US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,530 a year, 33.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,160 to $44,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $52,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in East Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $39,530, or $19.01 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 $59,050, so pay in East Tennessee, TN is 33.1% 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 East Tennessee, TN earns more than $44,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,160 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 Nashville, at $52,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in East Tennessee, TN. 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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