Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
Subway and Streetcar Operators
SOC: 53-4041 O*NET: 53-4041.00
Median Salary
$84,830
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
What does a Subway and Streetcar Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$52,260
10th percentile
Early Career
$59,500
25th percentile
Median
$84,830
50th percentile
Experienced
$87,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$87,940
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$52,260
25th
$59,500
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$84,830
Mean: $75,620
75th
$87,940
90th
$87,940
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $35,680 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $59,500 and $87,940
- •Salary spread is 33.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 9,200 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:9,600
Top Industries
Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation4.7%
Urban Transit Systems4.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.4%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)9,600
Current
2034 (Projected)9,900
+3.4%
+300
Employment Change
+3.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Subway and Streetcar Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 9 of 9 locations
Utah
900 jobs$57,2008.81x
Massachusetts
820 jobs$84,8203.75x
California
760 jobs$76,7700.71x
Maryland
520 jobs$82,5903.17x
Georgia
260 jobs$58,5000.88x
Texas
230 jobs$57,2000.28x
Washington
170 jobs$86,7500.80x
New Jersey
160 jobs$68,9600.62x
Minnesota
130 jobs$67,8100.72x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Reading Comprehension
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Crane and Tower Operators73%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer73%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers67%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels67%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Subway and Streetcar Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
10
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (2)Training & Development (2)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)General Responsibilities (4)
1
Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Complete reports, including shift summaries and incident or accident reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Attend meetings on driver and passenger safety to learn ways in which job performance might be affected.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •70% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Subway and Streetcar Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Subway and Streetcar Operators professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Subway and Streetcar Operators
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.67
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.59
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.53
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.45
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.24
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.07
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Self-Control
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Integrity
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Independence
4.0
Concern for Others
3.8
Persistence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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