Subway and Streetcar Operators salary in California
Subway and Streetcar Operators in California earn a median of $78,680 a year ($37.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,810 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $86,380. California ranks 2nd of 13 states for subway and streetcar operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 subway and streetcar operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $74,720, close to the median.
Pay range for subway and streetcar operators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| 25th percentile | $66,820 | $32.12 |
| Median | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| 75th percentile | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,810 | $43.66 |
| Average (mean) | $74,720 | $35.92 |
Half of subway and streetcar operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,556.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,278.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,026.15 |
| Weekly | $1,513.08 |
| Hourly | $37.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Subway and Streetcar Operators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,970 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for subway and streetcar operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $92,420 |
| California | $78,680 |
| Washington | $77,020 |
| Florida | $72,860 |
| New Jersey | $68,970 |
| Minnesota | $65,410 |
| North Carolina | $62,590 |
| Virginia | $61,970 |
| Georgia | $59,570 |
| Texas | $58,780 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Locomotive Engineer | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters | $69,950 | $33.63 |
| Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Rail Transportation Workers, All Other | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-4041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a subway and streetcar operators make in California?
The median salary for subway and streetcar operators in California is $78,680 a year, or $37.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid subway and streetcar operators make in California?
The top 10% of subway and streetcar operators in California earn at least $90,810 a year. The top 25% earn $78,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for subway and streetcar operators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,680 a year, and a quarter of subway and streetcar operators earn $66,820 or less.
How many subway and streetcar operators work in California?
About 900 subway and streetcar operators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.