Bus Drivers, School Salary in Illinois

Bus drivers, school in Illinois earn the most in Decatur (average $56,450 a year) and the least in Rockford ($44,730), across the 8 Illinois metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the bus drivers, school average at $51,410 and the median at $49,090 for 21,230 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $48,430.

Bus Drivers, School average salary by city in Illinois

Decatur$56,450
Chicago$52,260
Springfield$50,520
Peoria$48,570
Bloomington$47,960
Kankakee$47,080
Champaign$45,850
Rockford$44,730

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Decatur	$56,450	$54,830	$44,610	$44,884	88
Chicago	$52,260	$49,180	$47,560	$41,725	104
Springfield	$50,520	$46,450	$46,450	$40,413	93
Peoria	$48,570	$48,100	$43,500	$38,943	91
Bloomington	$47,960	$45,500	$45,500	$38,483	94
Kankakee	$47,080	$44,870	$42,360	$37,819	96
Champaign	$45,850	$45,240	$38,130	$36,892	93
Rockford	$44,730	$45,560	$39,760	$36,047	92

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Bus Drivers, School salary in other states

Bus Drivers, School salary by city and state

More about pay in Illinois

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-3051.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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