Subway and Streetcar Operators Career, Salary and Skills
Subway and Streetcar Operators have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $86,380 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 10,200. Wage data is published for 20 locations.
Occupation description
Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
O*NET code
53-4041.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$86,380
Hourly median
$41.53
Employment
10,200
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.88 | 3.75 |
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Speaking | 3.38 | 2.75 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 2.88 |
Typical tasks
- Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
- Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
- Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
- Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
- Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
- Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.
- Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
- Complete reports, including shift summaries and incident or accident reports.
Technology
- Microsoft Office software
Subway and Streetcar Operators salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in New York, NYMedian $90,140 · Employment 3,950
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in UTMedian $58,620 · Employment 970
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in CAMedian $78,680 · Employment 900
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in MDMedian $92,420 · Employment 480
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in Seattle, WAMedian $77,020 · Employment 320
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in GAMedian $59,570 · Employment 300
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in Atlanta, GAMedian $59,570 · Employment 270
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in TXMedian $58,780 · Employment 240
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in San Diego, CAMedian $60,970 · Employment 200
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in Baltimore, MDMedian $84,350 · Employment 150
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in MNMedian $65,410 · Employment 140
- Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary in NJMedian $68,970 · Employment 140
Related careers
- Parking AttendantsNational median $35,150
- Traffic TechniciansNational median $59,090
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsNational median $61,770
- Airfield Operations SpecialistsNational median $56,850
- Commercial PilotsNational median $123,220
- Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except AviationNational median $92,100
- Passenger AttendantsNational median $37,720
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and AmbulanceNational median $50,340
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.