What bus drivers earn per hour
More info
You will find our overview for each federal state at the bottom of the text.
In our bus world we regularly present new articles about bus bus logistics, our fleet and bus tours. As well as tips and tricks for travelers, such as our packing list for school trips. Our big bus driver guide provides information, how to become a bus driver and what the job entails or an overview of the driving and rest times for bus drivers is given. In this article, we look at the question: What does a bus driver earn? In addition to the bus driver salary, this includes various factors that influence the actual salary. We also look at the opportunities that bus drivers have to improve their salary.
The average hourly wage for bus drivers in Germany will be around €18.98 per hour in 2025. This represents an increase in salary of 5.9% compared to the previous year. This figure can vary due to overtime, collectively agreed wages in the public sector, bonuses and individual negotiations. There are regional differences in hourly wages. Bus drivers in Baden-Württemberg are the lucky winners. They earn an average of 22.16 euros. Bus drivers in Brandenburg bring up the rear. Here they earn an average of 16.67 euros per hour. The city that offers the best hours is Stuttgart. Here you can earn up to 21.88 euros an hour.
There is still a difference between the sexes. As a rule, women continue to earn slightly less than men. This gap has also continued to grow in 2024 compared to the previous year, rather than shrinking. Male and female bus drivers enjoy a high level of professional stability and security, as they often have long-term employment contracts and a comparatively secure employment situation. A stable income can help to ensure financial security for themselves and their families.
Interested in becoming a bus driver? Our Buswelt guide provides valuable tips, background information and an outlook on what to expect in the bus driving profession.
What influences the salary?
The regional salary differences for bus drivers are sometimes very large. For example, a bus driver in Hamburg earns significantly more than a bus driver in Saxony. You can find all salaries sorted by federal state in our large salary overview.
The salary of bus drivers varies greatly depending on the number of years of service in the profession. Generally speaking, experienced bus drivers earn more than newcomers. And this increases further with experience.
The qualification of the bus driver plays an important role. Untrained bus drivers earn less than bus drivers who have completed vocational training. Salaries of up to 4000 gross per month can be achieved with further training to become a master craftsman in road transport.
Of course, the employer also plays a major role in salary. Larger companies can pay better salaries than smaller ones. In addition, public transport generally pays better than private companies.
What influences the salary of a bus driver?
The most important factors for bus drivers to improve their salary are regional differences, professional experience, qualifications, the employment relationship and possible further training opportunities. The annual salary of bus drivers varies greatly depending on the region in which they are employed. For example, salaries tend to be lower in the new federal states than in the old federal states. More is usually paid in cities than in rural areas. At the top are Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Hamburg, where bus drivers can earn salaries of over 40,000 euros gross per year.
Bringing up the rear are Brandenburg, Saxony and Lower Saxony, where average salaries for bus drivers are often less than 37,500 euros gross per year. We also took a look at the salary structures in our neighboring countries Austria and Switzerland. In the Alpine states, salaries for bus drivers are higher than in this country. In Austria, bus drivers can earn an average salary of average gross salary of around 38500 euros per year. In Switzerland, bus drivers can expect a salary of average of over 71,500 a real top salary. However, the higher cost of living should also be taken into account, which puts the salary in Switzerland into perspective. Also interesting: In Switzerland, female bus drivers earn more than their male colleagues.
You are currently viewing placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click on the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third-party providers.
More informationIn 2025, the average gross monthly salary of bus drivers will be € 3,121. With the increase to € 3,289 in 2025, this results in a salary increase of € 168, which corresponds to a percentage increase of around 5.38 %.
The future of the bus driver
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
The bus driving profession is a job with a great future. The increasing demand for public transportation and the focus on environmentally friendly mobility make the profession of bus driver a promising option. There is already a shortage of tens of thousands of bus drivers in Germany. This situation could increase further in the future. Increasing urbanization and the expansion of transport networks will offer countless job opportunities in the future, which will also create other jobs related to the mobility transition in addition to the bus driver profession.
The role of the bus driver is also being expanded by technological advances and autonomous driving. Technologies are helping to make the profession more efficient and safer. However, this requires an adaptation of skills and continuous training. With a growing need for qualified professionals who can provide safe and comfortable driving experiences, the job of bus driver will offer promising future prospects with good career opportunities, suggesting rising salaries in this industry. In addition to the base salary, many bus companies offer their drivers additional benefits and amenities. These often include paid vacation days, health insurance, pension plans and occasionally even free or heavily discounted tickets for their families. Find out more about new trends and movements in the bus driver industry in our bus world.
How is the bus driver salary distributed by federal state?
Federal state | Gross salary |
|---|---|
Baden-Württemberg
| 3.674 €
|
Hamburg | 3.587 €
|
Hesse | 3.381 €
|
Schleswig-Holstein
| 3.333 €
|
Bavaria
| 3.318 € |
Rhineland-Palatinate
| 3.311 € |
Berlin
| 3.309 €
|
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
| 3.299 €
|
Saarland | 3.282 €
|
Thuringia | 3.257 €
|
North Rhine-Westphalia
| 3.205 €
|
Saxony-Anhalt
| 3.152 €
|
Bremen | 3.127 €
|
Lower Saxony
| 3.103 €
|
Saxony | 3.023 €
|
Brandenburg
| 2.890 €
|
Related Posts
In our agt Bus World, we provide information about current developments in our company, as well as the latest topics and events in the bus and mobility industry.
In our agt Bus World, we provide information about current developments in our company, as well as the latest topics and events in the bus and mobility industry.
Bus charter is the flexible alternative to scheduled services: a bus with driver - customized according to time, route and requirements. Whether for company events, trade fairs or regular shuttles - companies benefit from cost control, efficiency and sustainability. Find out how coach charter works, which factors influence the costs and why it is particularly worthwhile for companies.