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Activity Bus Driver Salary in California

How much does an Activity Bus Driver make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activity Bus Driver in California is $56,844 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Activity Bus Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,104
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,652 to $61,691
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,924
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Activity Bus Driver Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Activity Bus Driver Salaries

An Activity Bus Driver's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Activity Bus Driver Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Activity Bus Driver's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $53,957
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,127
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,810
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $55,835
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,316
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Activity Bus Driver less than 1 year $53,957
Early Career Level Activity Bus Driver 1-2 years $54,127
Mid-Level Level Activity Bus Driver 2-4 years $54,810
Senior-Level Level Activity Bus Driver 5-8 years $55,835
Expert Level Activity Bus Driver over 8 years $57,316

How Do Activity Bus Driver Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Activity Bus Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $57,061.
  • California: $56,844.
  • Massachusetts: $56,087.

Top Paying Cities for Activity Bus Driver

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $56,942
  • West Hollywood: $56,901
  • Dodgertown: $56,942

Activity Bus Driver Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Activity Bus Driver roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 48% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Activity Bus Driver positions in Financial Services or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Activity Bus Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Activity Bus Driver

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $72,761 $35.0 28%
Internet $71,056 $34.0 25%
Energy & Utilities $65,371 $31.0 15%
Aerospace & Defense $63,666 $31.0 12%
Insurance $62,529 $30.0 10%

Activity Bus Driver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Activity Bus Driver's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$51,652
Average $56,844/year
$61,691
$4,304
Average $4,737/month
$5,141
$993
Average $1,093/week
$1,186
$25
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,691 $5,141 $1,186 $30
Average $56,844 $4,737 $1,093 $27
25th Percentile $51,652 $4,304 $993 $25

Find Your Next Activity Bus Driver Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Activity Bus Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • poway unified school district | San Diego, CA

    Bus Driver

    poway unified school district | San Diego, CA

    Salary: $22.79 - $29.17 HourlyLocation : Throughout Poway Unified School District, CAJob Type: Part TimeJob Number: 25-0134Site/Dept: TransportationOpening... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Moorpark Unified School District | Moorpark, CA

    Bus Driver

    Moorpark Unified School District | Moorpark, CA

    Job SummaryThe person in this position is under supervision, to operate a school bus over designated routes in transporting students safely and efficiently... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Fairfield-Suisun Unified | Fairfield, CA

    Bus Driver

    Fairfield-Suisun Unified | Fairfield, CA

    About the EmployerA premier learning community that empowers each student to thrive in an ever-changing world.Requirements / QualificationsCertification (V... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Logmet LLC | Monterey, CA

    Bus Driver

    Logmet LLC | Monterey, CA

    The Bus Driver drives a bus to transport passengers over specified routes to local or distant points according to time schedule.Duties and Responsibilities... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Santa Monica-Malibu Unified | Santa Monica, CA

    Bus Driver

    Santa Monica-Malibu Unified | Santa Monica, CA

    Salary: $32.69 HourlyLocation : Santa Monica and/or Malibu, CAJob Type: PERMANENT, SCHOOL-YEARJob Number: 561505-26-01Department: TRANSPORTATIONOpening Dat... more

    5 Days Ago

  • San Marcos USD | San Marcos, CA

    Bus Driver

    San Marcos USD | San Marcos, CA

    About the EmployerWelcome to San Marcos Unified School District. The San Marcos Unified School District is an innovative and collaborative community provid... more

    5 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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