How much does a subway and streetcar operator make?
The median subway and streetcar operator in the United States earns $84,830 per year, about $40.78 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all subway and streetcar operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-4041.
Subway and streetcar operator salary range
Pay for subway and streetcar operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $52,260 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $87,940. The average (mean) wage is $75,620, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,260 | $25.13 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,500 | $28.61 | |
| Median (50th) | $84,830 | $40.78 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $87,940 | $42.28 | |
| 90th percentile | $87,940 | $42.28 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for subway and streetcar operators (SOC 53-4041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Subway and streetcar operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Subway and streetcar operators earn the most in Washington at $86,750 a year, and the least in Utah at $57,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $86,750 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $84,820 | 820 |
| Maryland | $82,590 | 520 |
| California | $76,770 | 760 |
| New Jersey | $68,960 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $67,810 | 130 |
| Georgia | $58,500 | 260 |
| Texas | $57,200 | 230 |
| Utah | $57,200 | 900 |
State median wages for subway and streetcar operators (SOC 53-4041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for subway and streetcar operators
The BLS projects employment of subway and streetcar operators to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 10,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for subway and streetcar operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a subway and streetcar operator
The typical entry-level education for subway and streetcar operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a subway and streetcar operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $86,750) and the lowest (Utah, $57,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 9,200 people work as subway and streetcar operators in the United States. At $84,830 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Subway and streetcar operator salary FAQ
How much does a subway and streetcar operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a subway and streetcar operator is $40.78. The middle half of subway and streetcar operators earn between $28.61 and $42.28 per hour.
What is the highest subway and streetcar operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of subway and streetcar operators earn more than $87,940 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a subway and streetcar operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a subway and streetcar operator is $84,830. The average (mean) wage is $75,620, close to the median.
Is being a subway and streetcar operator a well paid job?
At $84,830 a year, a subway and streetcar operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 9,200 people work as subway and streetcar operators in the United States.
Which state pays subway and streetcar operators the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for subway and streetcar operators at $86,750 a year. Massachusetts ($84,820) and Maryland ($82,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a subway and streetcar operator a good career?
Employment of subway and streetcar operators is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a subway and streetcar operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for subway and streetcar operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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