2016 Transit Salary Survey

Welcome to Transit Talent's 6th Salary Survey

First, thanks for your patience. The data gathering for this survey of transit agency employees began last May and stretched into December. During this period, 1,152 responses were collected. Of those, 1,096 ultimately were used in the final results. Respondents were asked to provide their salary data as of March 1, 2016.

Now, for the disclaimer. This survey is based on self-reported data. It is not meant to be viewed as a rigorous, institutional survey. Also, the salary ranges for many job titles are drawn from a relatively small number of respondents. So, care should be taken in drawing strong conclusions from this data.

Finally, many thanks to all who responded to the survey! We appreciate your willingness to contribute to this effort. Please direct any questions or comments about this survey to Steve Hirano at [email protected]

If you're interested in looking at past survey results, here are the links: 2013 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008

2016 Survey Results

You can scroll down to view all the department results in alphabetical order or you can click on the links below to see the results of a specific department.

Clerical / Administrative Support

Administrative Assistant

Clerical support; no supervisory duties

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$43,000 $53,000 $48,338 $56,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$43,233 N/A N/A $54,750

Respondents: 8

Senior Administrative Assistant / Executive Assistant

Supervises administrative assistants / assistant to top executive

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$49,500 $61,000 $60,635 $64,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $69,413 N/A

Respondents: 13

Board Secretary / Clerk of the Board

Secretary to the board of directors

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$56,000 $74,000 $69,181 $80,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A $64,954 N/A N/A

Respondents: 10

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Civil Rights / Compliance
(ADA / DBE / EEO)

Specialist / Manager

Performs a variety of duties in the development and coordination of civil rights / compliance programs

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$48,000 $58,000 $58,708 $62,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $63,375 N/A

Respondents: 12

Director

Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of civil rights / compliance programs

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$110,000 $111,000 $111,813 $118,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $101,000 $122,625

Respondents: 8

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Customer Service

Representative

Fields and resolves customer complaints and inquiries

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$25,000 $30,000 $32,000 $52,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$25,000 $30,000 $32,000 $52,000

Respondents: 8

Supervisor / Manager / Coordinator

Implements customer service programs and supervises customer service representatives

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $75,500 $81,565 $85,505
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $69,060 $82,625

Respondents: 9

Director

Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of customer service

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$62,500 $70,250 $75,333 $83,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $78,000 N/A

Respondents: 6

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Engineering

Engineer

Performs a variety of duties in support of engineering department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$55,000 $81,516 $77,240 $98,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $79,703

Respondents: 8

Supervisor / Manager

Plans, directs, manages and oversees engineering activities

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$105,000 $116,498 $117,000 $138,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $117,000

Respondents: 8

Director

Assumes full management responsibility for engineering department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$110,000 $151,000 $144,100 $175,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $144,500

Respondents: 10

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Executive / Management

Assistant General Manager, Operations

Plans, directs, manages and oversees system operation and maintenance

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$115,320 $143,500 $144,531 $171,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$104,636 $123,328 $134,000 $184,771

Respondents: 31

Assistant General Manager, Administration

Plans, directs, manages and oversees administrative activities

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$95,925 $124,000 $130,801 $155,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$101,700 $113,585 N/A $154,650

Respondents: 25

General Manager / CEO / Executive Director

Responsible for the overall operation of the organization, including development and implementation of policies and procedures

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$100,000 $122,300 $138,266 $172,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$137,507 $142,741 $189,697 $193,000

Respondents: 82

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Finance

Budget Manager

Handles day-to-day oversight of budget program; may supervise staff

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $78,400 $94,840 $131,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $81,987 N/A

Respondents: 9

Grants Analyst

Involved in grants program; no supervisory role

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $86,000 $82,575 $95,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$73,920 N/A N/A N/A

Respondents: 10

Finance Analyst

Handles day-to-day analysis of finance program; no supervisory role

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$63,000 $85,105 $84,352 $105,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$74,052 N/A N/A $93,520

Respondents: 12

Controller

Directs budget and cost controls, financial analysis, accounting practices and reports

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$66,500 $89,000 $97,997 $137,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$84,750 N/A N/A $116,833

Respondents: 13

CFO / Finance Director

Directs the overall financial plans and accounting practices of an organization

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$78,000 $92,594 $98,246 $124,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$94,838 $95,660 $107,646 N/A

Respondents: 20

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Human Resources

Generalist

Performs a variety of duties within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$54,700 $62,000 $65,489 $70,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A $67,673 $58,154 N/A

Respondents: 8

Specialist

Performs assigned program activities within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$60,450 $65,000 $70,704 $86,205
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $73,078

Respondents: 15

Manager

Supervises and coordinates activities within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$78,686 $91,500 $91,640 $100,300
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $96,067 $88,436

Respondents: 20

Director

Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the human resources department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$77,438 $94,750 $98,578 $120,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$70,360 $108,833 $101,400 $115,580

Respondents: 17

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Information Technology

Manager

Assists CIO/Director with supervision of information technology staff

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$86,000 $94,250 $98,137 $107,485
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $95,829 $100,830

Respondents: 21

CIO / Director

Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the information technology department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$72,800 $121,500 $112,442 $139,443
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A N/A

Respondents: 8

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Maintenance

Equipment Manager

Supervises and coordinates equipment maintenance program activities and operations

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$62,500 $80,000 $80,313 $97,480
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $66,200 $90,724

Respondents: 18

Fleet Manager

Oversees maintenance of rolling stock

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$78,300 $83,050 $96,043 $115,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$89,112 N/A $89,400 $109,000

Respondents: 20

Facilities Manager / Supervisor / Coordinator

Supervises and coordinates facilities maintenance program activities and operations

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$65,000 $76,450 $76,660 $80,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $88,750

Respondents: 9

Director

Administers, directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of staff performing maintenance administration

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$84,000 $103,000 $106,068 $122,250
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$84,440 $96,400 $107,571 $117,894

Respondents: 35

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Marketing & Communications

Specialist

Performs a variety of marketing / communications duties

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$54,000 $63,500 $66,974 $76,951
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A $54,895 $58,500 $73,267

Respondents: 33

Manager

Assists with directing the marketing / communications program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$68,500 $70,000 $81,167 $101,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $89,250 $92,029

Respondents: 25

Director

Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the marketing / communications department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$66,000 $88,354 $95,050 $128,565
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$67,540 $77,146 $93,818 $137,963

Respondents: 30

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Operations

Bus / Rail Operator

Operates bus, train, streetcar, trolley, etc.

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$44,500 $48,500 $52,688 $55,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A N/A

Respondents: 10

Field Supervisor

Supervises bus/rail operators in the field

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$59,500 $74,000 $66,579 $75,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $55,428 N/A

Respondents: 9

Operations Manager / Supervisor

Supervises and coordinates daily operations and activities. Provides work direction and supervision of operational staff

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$60,000 $78,000 $76,976 $91,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$65,110 $65,563 $81,484 $84,477

Respondents: 92

Director / Superintendent of Operations / Transportation

Develops and administers policies and procedures for transit operations

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$93,000 $113,362 $115,654 $140,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$101,720 $100,023 $115,304 $129,182

Respondents: 77

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Paratransit

Manager / Supervisor

Oversees paratransit operations, often directly supervising bus operators and other staff

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$54,000 $66,225 $68,822 $80,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A $64,375 $57,593 $84,500

Respondents: 12

Director

Plans and directs programs relating to paratransit service. Develops policies and programs to meet organizational needs

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$57,810 $83,000 $83,213 $104,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$69,250 $69,891 $94,528 N/A

Respondents: 15

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Planning

Planner

Performs a variety of planning duties

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$56,000 $64,850 $65,746 $75,800
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$64,048 $59,102 $62,816 $72,784

Respondents: 40

Senior Planner

Assists with producing and directing the organization's planning program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$66,500 $81,000 $79,977 $90,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$87,750 $81,667 $75,628 $81,436

Respondents: 37

Manager

Manages planning activities or administers policies according to executive-level direction

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$81,016 $100,000 $100,792 $121,600
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$91,786 $84,105 $100,735 $109,472

Respondents: 45

Director

Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the planning department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$93,000 $116,000 $119,373 $146,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A $124,575 $90,111 $142,680

Respondents: 26

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Procurement

Specialist

Performs a variety of procurement duties in support of the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$50,000 $54,747 $61,442 $73,400
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $53,523 N/A

Respondents: 10

Manager / Director

Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$85,000 $101,700 $102,663 $119,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$67,625 $93,000 $109,629 $114,700

Respondents: 24

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Project Management

Manager

Supervises projects, generally in a specific field such as engineering, IT, planning, procurement or rolling stock

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$68,420 $95,000 $94,631 $122,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $96,375 $103,909

Respondents: 25

Director

Develops, manages and administers project management program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$95,000 $110,000 $119,394 $150,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $108,333 $124,716

Respondents: 12

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Risk Management

Manager

Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's risk management program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$72,500 $88,362 $92,218 $107,228
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $106,795

Respondents: 10

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Safety

Specialist

Assists in implementing safety objectives

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$53,500 $66,744 $69,990 $79,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $72,205

Respondents: 11

Director

Oversees safety department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $93,000 $90,083 $122,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $96,344

Respondents: 18

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Scheduling

Scheduler

Handles day-to-day scheduling tasks; no supervisory role

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$49,000 $63,500 $65,387 $76,383
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $64,720

Respondents: 9

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Security / Police

Chief

Directs organization's security and policing programs to protect employees and customers

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$100,000 $125,500 $121,400 $139,500
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $126,857

Respondents: 10

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Training & Development

Instructor

Deliver training to employees

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$52,182 $68,500 $70,381 $98,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A N/A $68,500

Respondents: 12

Manager

Assesses staff training requirements and implements programs to meet employee needs

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$60,500 $75,000 $83,174 $110,000
Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
N/A N/A $93,333 $93,214

Respondents: 19

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