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Subway and Streetcar Operators

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $86,380 Median per year · $41.53/hr Most earn $55,180–$90,140

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.
  • Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals78.7%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals12.6%
  • Urban transit systems7.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Most people start with a high school diploma and no prior work experience, and the transit agency usually provides the training you need on the job.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with solid math, reading, and customer service skills, since operators read schedules, handle fares, and help passengers.

  2. Agency training program

    Several weeks to a few months

    Most transit agencies train new hires on safe train or streetcar operation, signals, and emergency procedures before they carry passengers.

  3. Subway and Streetcar Operator

    Ongoing

    You operate trains or streetcars on set routes, keep passengers safe, and follow the rules and schedules of the system.

Where it can lead

  1. Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

    2-5 years of experience first

    Conductors lead the crew and manage train operations and passenger or freight paperwork, which takes more responsibility than running the train alone.

  2. Locomotive Engineers

    3-5 years of experience first

    Locomotive engineers run larger, heavier trains over longer distances, which usually requires more training and a strong safety record.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and English classes seriouslyStrong reading and math skills help with safety rules, schedules, and training materials.
  • Get a part-time customer service jobWorking with the public teaches patience and clear communication, which matter a lot when you handle passengers.
  • Join a school club or teamBeing part of a group shows you can follow rules, work with others, and stay reliable.
  • Learn about public transitRide your local subway, train, or streetcar and talk to operators if you can, to see what the job is really like.

In college

  • Take a customer service or communication courseClear communication helps you handle passenger questions and stressful situations calmly.
  • Work a part-time job that involves public contactJobs like cashier or front desk work build the reliability and people skills transit employers look for.
  • Keep a clean driving and attendance recordTransit agencies usually check these records, so good habits now make applications stronger.
  • Volunteer with a local transit or community groupVolunteering shows commitment and gives you a chance to learn how public transit works.

Tips for getting started

  • Check the job requirements of transit agencies near you, since age minimums, medical exams, and driving record rules vary by employer.
  • Build a clean record now, including attendance and any driving history, because transit employers usually review these closely.
  • Get customer service experience, such as a part-time job in retail or food service, to show you can stay calm and helpful with the public.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Ground Transportation Certificate: typical pay 1 year after finishing $48,327 a year · typical debt $6,365

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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