A TfL bus driver earns £39,000–£44,000 in 2026-27, taking home £29,676–£32,914/year (£2,473–£2,743/month) after income tax, NI and pension. National average bus drivers earn £26,500–£36,000 gross.
Bus driver pension provision varies by operator. Many operators offer the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) — a defined benefit scheme — while others provide company defined contribution arrangements. The 5% employee contribution used in the table above is a national estimate; some operators require higher contributions with better employer matching. London bus drivers contracted to TfL typically access better pension terms.
Common questions about bus driver pay and take-home.