Subway and Streetcar Operators Salary
The median pay for a subway and streetcar operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $77,020/year ($37.03/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $69,306 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month, about 46.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $77K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About subway and streetcar operators
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What this looks like in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
Pay for subway and streetcar operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $86K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,501/month, which is 48% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 11% above the national average (BEA RPP 111.13), so groceries and services cost more too. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for subway and streetcar operatorss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level subway and streetcar operators (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Subway and Streetcar Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Subway and Streetcar Operators salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $92K | +7% | 480 |
| California | $79K | -9% | 900 |
| Washington | $77K | -11% | 320 |
| Florida | $73K | -16% | 130 |
| New Jersey | $69K | -20% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $65K | -24% | 140 |
| North Carolina | $63K | -28% | 110 |
| Virginia | $62K | -28% | N/A |
| Georgia | $60K | -31% | 300 |
| Texas | $59K | -32% | 240 |
| Utah | $59K | -32% | 970 |
| Missouri | $53K | -39% | 70 |
| Michigan | $42K | -52% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track subway and streetcar operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a subway and streetcar operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 48% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,501/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for subway and streetcar operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new subway and streetcar operators typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,917/month. At HUD’s $2,501/month FMR, rent would take 64% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is subway and streetcar operator a high-paying job in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $77K here vs. $86K nationally.
How does Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare to the national average for subway and streetcar operators?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $86K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 111.13), the purchasing-power equivalent is $69K — below the national median.
How much do subway and streetcar operators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $77,020 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,290, and experienced subway and streetcar operators can clear $93,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,214/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 48% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a subway and streetcar operators salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median subway and streetcar operators salary is worth about $69,306 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do subway and streetcar operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.