Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay range in Chattanooga
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,920 a year or less, while the top 10% make $54,750 or more. The middle half of bus drivers, transit and intercity in Chattanooga earn between $42,150 and $48,050.
- $37K10th
- $42K25th
- $46KMedian
- $48K75th
- $55K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $45,930 | $3,828 | $22.08 |
| Median | $45,700 | $3,808 | $21.97 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $42,150 | $3,512 | $20.26 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $48,050 | $4,004 | $23.10 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity pay in Chattanooga vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Bus drivers, transit and intercity in Chattanooga earn 11% less than the Tennessee average ($51,770) and 24% less than the U.S. average ($60,280). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $59,050.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $45,930 | $45,700 | $36,920 | $54,750 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $51,770 | $47,770 | $39,530 | $58,900 | 1,970 |
| United States | $60,280 | $59,050 | $40,030 | $84,700 | 159,240 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary after taxes in Chattanooga
On the average salary of $45,930, a single filer in Chattanooga takes home about $39,085 a year, or $3,257 a month and $1,503 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $39,085 | $3,257 |
| Working in GA | $37,541 | $3,128 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Chattanooga a good place for bus drivers, transit and intercity? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chattanooga area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.5), so the average $45,930 buys what about $50,216 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Chattanooga ($46,700). A typical home costs $326,370, or 7.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in other Tennessee cities
Chattanooga ranks 4th of 4 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Clarksville pays the most ($57,010).
- Clarksville$57,010
- Nashville$55,170
- Memphis$48,950
- Chattanooga$45,930
All Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salaries in Tennessee
Highest-paying cities for bus drivers, transit and intercity
Seattle, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($79,800).
- Seattle, WA$79,800
- San Francisco, CA$76,190
- Boston, MA$73,820
- New York, NY$73,350
- Portland, OR$71,070
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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity salary in Chattanooga: questions
How much do bus drivers, transit and intercity make an hour in Chattanooga?
$22.08 an hour on average, and $21.97 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level bus drivers, transit and intercity salary in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,920 a year and the 25th percentile is $42,150, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the bus drivers, transit and intercity take-home pay in Chattanooga?
About $39,085 a year ($3,257 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $45,930. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do bus drivers, transit and intercity earn more in Chattanooga than elsewhere?
The average here is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($60,280).
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 53-3052; area Chattanooga, TN-GA (16860). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.42, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.42).
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