What is a Subway or Streetcar Operator?
Occupation Description Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
A Day in the Life of a Subway or Streetcar Operator
- Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.
- Direct emergency evacuation procedures.
- Attend meetings on driver and passenger safety to learn ways in which job performance might be affected.
- Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.
- Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.
- Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.
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Subway or Streetcar Operator Required Skills
When polled, Subway and Streetcar Operators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Subway or Streetcar Operator Jobs
- Transit Operator
- Bus Operator
- Motor Operator
- Light Rail Vehicle Operator (LRV Operator)
- Bus and Rail Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Subway and Streetcar Operators?
In the United States, there were 12,800 jobs for Subway or Streetcar Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Subway or Streetcar Operator by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,300 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Subway or Streetcar Operator are Texas, Colorado, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Subway or Streetcar Operator
The typical yearly salary for Subway and Streetcar Operators is somewhere between $37,310 and $82,100.

Subway and Streetcar Operators who work in Maryland, New Jersey, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Subway and Streetcar Operators make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
California | $57,550 |
Georgia | $37,500 |
Maryland | $63,120 |
New Jersey | $60,510 |
Tennessee | $49,220 |
Texas | $46,810 |
What Tools & Technology do Subway and Streetcar Operators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Subway and Streetcar Operators:
- Microsoft Office
- Word processing software
How do I Become a Subway or Streetcar Operator?
What education is needed to be a Subway or Streetcar Operator?

What work experience do I need to become a Subway or Streetcar Operator?

Where do Subway and Streetcar Operators Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Subway and Streetcar Operators employed by various industries.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as a Subway or Streetcar Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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