SOC 53-3052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — Sioux City
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay in Sioux City, IA is $43,720 a year, 26.0% under the national median of $59,050 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Sioux City, IA is $43,720 a year, 26.0% under the national median of $59,050 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $38,580 and $53,840. The lowest tenth earn under $38,580, while the highest tenth earn more than $61,510.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.93 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Des Moines records the highest median at $58,930. Of the 288 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 220th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,580 | −34.7% |
| 25th | $38,580 | −34.7% |
| Median (50th) | $43,720 | −26.0% |
| 75th | $53,840 | −8.8% |
| 90th | $61,510 | +4.2% |
| Mean | $48,140 | −18.5% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $58,930 | 290 | |
| 2 | Davenport | $57,500 | 70 | |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $52,950 | 130 | |
| 4 | Iowa City | $49,590 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Sioux City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $43,720 goes as far as $49,795 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$43,720as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,795US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $43,720 a year, 26.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,580 to $61,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Des Moines, at $58,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in Sioux City, IA?
The median annual wage is $43,720, or $21.02 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 Sioux City, IA is 26.0% 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 Sioux City, IA earns more than $61,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,580 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 Des Moines, at $58,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Sioux City, IA. 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.
Explore related data