SOC 53-3052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In San Luis Obispo, CA the median wage is $54,140.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Luis Obispo, CA the median wage is $54,140. That is 8.3% lower than the national median of $59,050. Pay ranges from under $49,610 at the tenth percentile to more than $64,500 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $52,500 to $64,500.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $78,900. Of the 361 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 239th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,610 | −16.0% |
| 25th | $52,500 | −11.1% |
| Median (50th) | $54,140 | −8.3% |
| 75th | $64,500 | +9.2% |
| 90th | $64,500 | +9.2% |
| Mean | $57,700 | −2.3% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $78,900 | 5,540 | |
| 2 | Salinas | $71,290 | 180 | |
| 3 | Sacramento | $70,680 | 810 | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | $68,020 | 10,140 | |
| 5 | Fresno | $62,170 | — | |
| 6 | San Diego | $61,290 | 1,720 | |
| 7 | Santa Rosa | $60,320 | 180 | |
| 8 | Napa | $59,560 | 170 | |
| 9 | Santa Cruz | $57,780 | 370 | |
| 10 | Riverside | $56,940 | 1,550 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Luis Obispo run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $54,140 buys what $48,907 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$54,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,907US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $54,140 a year, 8.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,610 to $64,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $78,900.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in San Luis Obispo, CA?
The median annual wage is $54,140, or $26.03 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 San Luis Obispo, CA is 8.3% 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earns more than $64,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,610 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 San Francisco, at $78,900 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in San Luis Obispo, CA. 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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