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Salary comparison

Subway and Streetcar Operators vs. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand: Who Earns More?

Subway and Streetcar Operators out-earn Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand by $46K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Subway and Streetcar Operators land at $86,380 and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand at $40,240. The education gap is real: subway and streetcar operator programs typically require no formal educational credential, while laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Subway and Streetcar Operators is Maryland ($92,420); for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand it's Minnesota ($46,280).

Subway and Streetcar Operators
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Median salary
$86,380
$40,240
Hourly rate
$41.53/hr
$19.35/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$55,180
$31,270
Senior level (90th %)
$90,140
$55,140
Education required
No formal educational credential
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
10,200
2,950,280
Job growth (10-year)
3.4%
1.5%
Category
Transportation
Transportation
Top-paying state
Maryland
Minnesota

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Subway and Streetcar Operators median pay.

State
Subway and Streetcar Operators
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Maryland
$92,420
$41,600
California
$78,680
$44,710
Washington
$77,020
$46,190
Florida
$72,860
$38,160
New Jersey
$68,970
$39,540
Minnesota
$65,410
$46,280
North Carolina
$62,590
$38,230
Virginia
$61,970
$39,380
Georgia
$59,570
$38,480
Texas
$58,780
$37,540
Utah
$58,620
$42,370
Missouri
$53,030
$39,080
Michigan
$41,710
$38,860

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Subway and Streetcar Operators or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?

Subway and Streetcar Operators earn more nationally. The median is $86,380 for Subway and Streetcar Operators versus $40,240 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, a difference of $46K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Subway and Streetcar Operators or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?

Subway and Streetcar Operators has the better 10-year outlook at 3.4% projected growth, compared to 1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Subway and Streetcar Operators or Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand?

Subway and Streetcar Operators typically requires no formal educational credential. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Subway and Streetcar Operators get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Subway and Streetcar Operators at $92,420/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Subway and Streetcar Operators vs. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Subway and Streetcar Operators earn $92,420 vs. $41,600 for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Subway and Streetcar Operators salary breakdownView →Full Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand salary breakdownView →Best cities for Subway and Streetcar Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand by take-home payExplore →How to become a subway and streetcar operatorsGuide →How to become a laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, handGuide →