Last updated · Sources: 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule, BLS OEWS May 2025
DeKalb County School District school bus driver pay
DeKalb County School District pays school bus drivers $21.68–$31.02/hr for 2026-27 (source: 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule; updated Oct 30, 2026).
DeKalb County, Georgia. Everything below comes from the linked source, checked 2026-10-30. A blank means the source doesn't say.
Starting pay
2026-27
✓ Official source 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule · Updated Oct 30, 2026
Sign-on bonus
Paid CDL training
Details
| Employer type | District |
|---|---|
| Area | DeKalb County |
| Pay year | 2026-27 |
| Guaranteed hours | not stated |
| Hours / days | 180 days × 6 hrs/day |
| Summer pay | not stated |
| Training payback | not stated |
| Notes | not stated |
Sources
- ✓ Official 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule · checked 2026-10-30
How it compares
The starting rate is $0.07 above the Georgia median for school bus drivers ($21.61/hr, BLS OEWS May 2025) and $1.07 below the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro median ($22.75/hr). The BLS median covers drivers at every experience level, so a new driver's rate is often below it.
| DeKalb County employer | Start $/hr | Top $/hr | Sign-on bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Schools of Decatur | $26.29 | $36.73 | not stated |
| DeKalb County School District (this page) | $21.68 | $31.02 | not stated |
DeKalb County comparison · Georgia school bus driver pay by district · Paid CDL training list · Split-shift calculator · Compare side by side
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Frequently asked questions
How much does DeKalb County School District pay school bus drivers?
Starting pay is $21.68/hr and the schedule tops out at $31.02/hr (2026-27), per 2026-27 bus driver salary schedule. 180 days × 6 hrs/day.
How does DeKalb County School District compare with nearby districts?
It ranks #2 of 2 for starting pay among the employers we list in DeKalb County (the highest is City Schools of Decatur at $26.29/hr). Pay years differ, so check each source.
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