Understanding Bus Driver Salary London and UK Benchmarks

If you are researching a bus driver salary London or elsewhere in the UK, official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and GOV.UK provides a reliable starting point. This article explains how to interpret hourly and annual pay, the impact of London weighting, and how bus driver earnings compare to national averages.

Official Earnings Data for Bus and Coach Drivers

The most recent GOV.UK annual bus statistics (year ending March 2024) report that the median weekly earnings for full-time bus and coach drivers were £586, with a median of 40.5 paid hours per week. For context, the national median weekly earnings across all full-time occupations at that time were £598, and the median hours were 37. This means bus drivers work longer hours but earn slightly less per week than the national median.

From the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2025 provisional results, the median weekly earnings for all full-time employees rose to £766.60, and median annual earnings reached £39,039. The median hourly rate (excluding overtime) was £19.67. Bus driver pay is below these all-occupation medians, reflecting the lower average hourly rate in transport roles.

Converting Hourly to Annual for Bus Drivers

To estimate an annual salary from an hourly rate, use the formula: annual ≈ hourly rate × contracted hours per week × 52 weeks. For a bus driver earning the national median weekly pay of £586 over 40.5 hours, the implied hourly rate is about £14.47 (586 ÷ 40.5). At that rate, the annual salary would be roughly £30,472 (14.47 × 40.5 × 52).

However, actual pay can differ due to:

• Overtime: Many bus drivers work overtime, which is often paid at a higher rate (e.g., time-and-a-half).
• London weighting: Operators in London typically add 15–20% to base pay.
• Shift premiums: Early morning, night, or weekend shifts may attract extra pay.
• Holiday pay: Some contracts include holiday pay in the hourly rate; others pay it separately.

Use our Hourly to Salary tool to try different hours and rates. For a deeper look at UK pay trends, visit our salary articles.

London Weighting and Regional Differences

London bus driver salaries are generally higher than the national median due to London weighting – an additional allowance to offset the higher cost of living. While no official London-specific bus driver figure is published in the sources above, industry reports and job adverts suggest that London bus drivers often earn between £15 and £18 per hour (including weighting). This would translate to an annual salary of roughly £31,500 to £37,800 for a 40-hour week.

The ONS ASHE regional data (Table 3) shows that median full-time weekly earnings vary by region, with London typically the highest. However, that data is not broken down by occupation for bus drivers. For the most accurate figure, check job listings from major London operators such as Transport for London (TfL) contractors.

National Living Wage and Minimum Pay

All UK bus drivers must be paid at least the National Living Wage (NLW). From April 2025, the NLW for employees aged 21 and over is £12.21 per hour. At 40.5 hours per week, that equates to a minimum annual salary of about £24,785 (12.21 × 40.5 × 52). Most bus drivers earn above this, especially in London.

For younger workers (aged 18–20), the National Minimum Wage is £10.00 per hour; for 16–17 year olds, it is £7.55. Apprentices have a separate rate of £7.55.

Comparing Bus Driver Pay to UK Median

The UK median full-time gross annual pay is £39,039 (ONS ASHE 2025). A bus driver earning the national median weekly pay of £586 would have an annual salary of about £30,472 – roughly 78% of the national median. However, when London weighting is applied, a London bus driver’s salary can approach or exceed the national median, especially with overtime.

Key Takeaways

• The national median weekly pay for bus and coach drivers is £586 (2024 data), with median hours of 40.5.
• The implied hourly rate is around £14.47, but this varies by operator and location.
• London weighting typically adds 15–20%, making London bus driver salaries higher.
• Always check your contract for exact hours, overtime rates, and any allowances.
• For quick conversions, use our hourly calculator and explore more UK salary data on our salary data page.

Remember that all official figures are provisional and subject to revision. Pay can also change with new pay deals, union negotiations, and annual NLW increases.