Bus Drivers, School Salary in Tennessee

Bus drivers, school in Tennessee earn the most in Jackson (average $48,930 a year) and the least in Clarksville ($33,460), across the 7 Tennessee metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the bus drivers, school average at $43,400 and the median at $44,510 for 7,050 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $48,430.

Bus Drivers, School average salary by city in Tennessee

Jackson$48,930
Nashville$48,890
Kingsport$47,500
Chattanooga$39,250
Memphis$39,240
Knoxville$36,390
Clarksville$33,460

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Jackson	$48,930	$41,590	$31,620	$41,495	86
Nashville	$48,890	$51,600	$37,500	$41,463	96
Kingsport	$47,500	$48,820	$46,340	$40,346	86
Chattanooga	$39,250	$42,460	$26,990	$33,717	91
Memphis	$39,240	$37,920	$27,870	$33,709	92
Knoxville	$36,390	$31,340	$27,220	$31,419	93
Clarksville	$33,460	$26,620	$26,620	$29,065	91

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Tennessee has no state income tax. 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 Tennessee

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.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.