Bus Drivers, School Salary in Arkansas

Bus drivers, school in Arkansas earn the most in Fayetteville (average $47,000 a year) and the least in Little Rock ($42,850), across the 5 Arkansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the bus drivers, school average at $44,410 and the median at $45,500 for 4,340 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $48,430.

Bus Drivers, School average salary by city in Arkansas

Fayetteville$47,000
Hot Springs$45,360
Jonesboro$44,000
Fort Smith$43,380
Little Rock$42,850

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Fayetteville	$47,000	$47,120	$34,640	$38,694	91
Hot Springs	$45,360	$46,040	$37,440	$37,436	86
Jonesboro	$44,000	$46,790	$30,410	$36,394	86
Fort Smith	$43,380	$40,720	$29,500	$35,918	86
Little Rock	$42,850	$39,830	$29,190	$35,512	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula. 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 Arkansas

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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