After a three-year break, Transit Talent has reprised its transit agency salary survey. The data was collected via email invitation from employees at public transit agencies. There were 1,796 responses overall. Of those, 1,640 were included in the salary portion of the survey. Respondents were asked to provide job title, department and base salary as of Oct. 1, 2019.
Respondents represent 47 states, Washington, D.C., and 3 Canadian provinces (Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario). The states with the largest representation in the survey are California (451 respondents), Washington state (148), Texas (139), Florida (103) and Oregon (77).
Respondents were asked about the size of their employer based on the number of employees. Approximately one-fifth of the respondents work at small agencies (1 to 199 employees). A slightly smaller group (18%) are employed at medium-sized agencies (200 to 499 employees). About 23% of the respondents work at large agencies (500 to 1,499 employees). Meanwhile, nearly two-fifths (39%) are employed by the largest agencies (1,499 or more employees).
Please note that this is a self-reported survey and relies on unverified information from respondents. We looked through each response for uncommonly high or low reported salaries based on job title and size of employer. In some cases, suspicious responses were not included in the survey results.
Also, be aware that salary data for some job titles are drawn from a relatively small number of respondents, so care should be taken in drawing too many conclusions from these results.
Lastly, many thanks to the folks who completed the survey. It's a thankless task, responding to any type of email solicitation these days. Your willingness to contribute your time is greatly appreciated!
Please send any questions or comments to Steve Hirano at [email protected]
If you're interested in looking at past survey results, here are the links: 2016 | 2013 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
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.
Performs a variety of accounting duties with no supervisory role
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$50,000 | $58,000 | $63,667 | $73,569 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$61,257 | $61,750 | N/A | N/A |
Respondents: 12
Oversees and supervises the accounting staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$60,000 | $86,000 | $82,111 | $95,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $80,333 | N/A | N/A |
Respondents: 9
Clerical support; no supervisory duties
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$41,500 | $50,000 | $53,413 | $67,912 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$55,693 | $54,154 | N/A | $56,029 |
Respondents: 23
Supervises administrative assistants / assistant to top executive
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$58,666 | $65,000 | $65,897 | $82,679 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$57,106 | $66,570 | $65,766 | $73,429 |
Respondents: 33
Secretary to the board of directors
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$62,400 | $70,000 | $87,621 | $90,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$60,680 | N/A | $94,350 | $77,200 |
Respondents: 14
Performs a variety of duties in the development and coordination of civil rights / compliance programs
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$83,000 | $104,000 | $109,137 | $130,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$107,750 | N/A | $115,500 | $118,943 |
Respondents: 25
Implements customer service programs and supervises customer service representatives
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$65,000 | $66,000 | $79,875 | $88,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $72,000 | N/A | $82,828 |
Respondents: 12
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of customer service
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$90,000 | $107,000 | $114,167 | $139,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $125,500 | $115,286 |
Respondents: 13
Performs a variety of duties in support of engineering department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$100,000 | $107,500 | $112,721 | $137,543 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $111,750 | $118,181 |
Respondents: 15
Plans, directs, manages and oversees engineering activities
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$114,000 | $132,000 | $124,182 | $157,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $120,000 | $129,685 |
Respondents: 11
Assumes full management responsibility for engineering department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$130,000 | $157,000 | $157,500 | $185,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $153,500 | $161,800 |
Respondents: 14
Plans, directs, manages and oversees system operation and maintenance
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$115,000 | $145,600 | $158,274 | $212,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$112,191 | $121,175 | $177,568 | $207,500 |
Respondents: 23
Plans, directs, manages and oversees administrative activities
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$115,000 | $140,000 | $154,048 | $193,400 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$108,333 | $138,748 | $186,515 | $189,714 |
Respondents: 27
Responsible for the overall operation of the organization, including development and implementation of policies and procedures
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$110,000 | $152,000 | $161,730 | $201,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$136,109 | $167,564 | $222,017 | $266,833 |
Respondents: 81
Oversees the agency's facility management program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$74,000 | $82,400 | $111,215 | $165,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $108,000 | $126,721 |
Respondents: 12
Oversees the agency's fare collection program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$89,000 | $121,000 | $116,702 | $137,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $109,308 | $131,235 |
Respondents: 17
Handles day-to-day analysis of finance program; no supervisory role
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$74,500 | $87,000 | $96,093 | $125,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$87,000 | N/A | $91,523 | $106,159 |
Respondents: 18
Directs budget and cost controls, financial analysis, accounting practices and reports
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$93,000 | $116,900 | $130,955 | $170,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $92,390 | N/A | $164,167 |
Respondents: 12
Directs the overall financial plans and accounting practices of an organization
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$85,000 | $106,000 | $119,113 | $145,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$96,863 | $95,258 | $153,850 | $177,800 |
Respondents: 28
Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's government affairs program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$81,000 | $102,000 | $105,019 | $132,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$137,333 | N/A | $92,583 | $126,132 |
Respondents: 17
Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's grants program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$65,000 | $84,000 | $89,116 | $115,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$63,313 | $93,105 | $87,038 | $111,222 |
Respondents: 28
Performs a variety of duties within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$52,000 | $69,000 | $69,663 | $85,703 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$64,000 | $82,958 | $72,813 | $93,963 |
Respondents: 17
Performs assigned program activities within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$68,088 | $85,000 | $84,489 | $98,600 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$64,000 | $82,978 | $72,813 | $93,963 |
Respondents: 15
Supervises and coordinates activities within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$76,000 | $96,000 | $99,968 | $124,500 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$86,525 | $102,667 | $102,344 | $104,352 |
Respondents: 22
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the human resources department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$88,000 | $109,000 | $106,579 | $130,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$80,544 | $104,250 | $114,625 | $134,156 |
Respondents: 41
Performs assigned program activities within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$70,000 | $94,000 | $90,782 | $111,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $95,401 | $84,619 |
Respondents: 17
Assists CIO/Director with supervision of information technology staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$70,000 | $90,000 | $101,026 | $125,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$74,189 | $80,600 | $100,167 | $124,500 |
Respondents: 22
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the information technology department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$101,000 | $116,000 | $123,974 | $148,500 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $118,200 | $116,333 | $147,417 |
Respondents: 19
Supervises and coordinates equipment and fleet maintenance program activities and operations
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$75,000 | $89,000 | $91,762 | $107,947 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
85,920 | 81,720 | $85,600 | $100,947 |
Respondents: 66
Administers, directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of staff performing maintenance administration
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$91,500 | $110,000 | $122,384 | $150,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$85,948 | $121,563 | $116,591 | $146,133 |
Respondents: 42
Performs a variety of marketing / communications duties
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$47,453 | $68,000 | $68,630 | $80,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$63,529 | $60,764 | $65,887 | $75,761 |
Respondents: 62
Assists with directing the marketing / communications program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$70,000 | $82,000 | $85,560 | $94,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$73,857 | $72,890 | $97,863 | $107,600 |
Respondents: 33
Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the marketing / communications department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$80,000 | $91,000 | $101,164 | $132,100 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$79,000 | $108,571 | $91,200 | $129,371 |
Respondents: 28
Supervises and coordinates daily operations and activities. Provides work direction and supervision of operational staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$70,000 | $84,500 | $91,762 | $118,056 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$77,076 | $76,052 | $88,948 | $95,218 |
Respondents: 113
Develops and administers policies and procedures for transit operations
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$91,200 | $119,000 | $123,139 | $150,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$100,946 | $128,714 | $129,069 | $130,081 |
Respondents: 86
Oversees paratransit operations, often directly supervising bus operators and other staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$64,000 | $66,000 | $78,857 | $103,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$64,333 | $75,750 | $85,000 | N/A |
Respondents: 14
Plans and directs programs relating to paratransit service. Develops policies and programs to meet organizational needs
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$80,000 | $92,000 | $97,298 | $111,912 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $94,478 | $95,500 | $107,826 |
Respondents: 15
Performs a variety of planning duties
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$55,000 | $66,600 | $71,784 | $85,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$68,647 | $64,276 | $73,820 | $81,492 |
Respondents: 48
Assists with producing and directing the organization's planning program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$71,000 | $82,768 | $88,215 | $105,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$73,400 | $85,200 | $85,074 | $94,872 |
Respondents: 44
Manages planning activities or administers policies according to executive-level direction
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$84,000 | $102,000 | $106,561 | $130,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$84,887 | $85,857 | $98,825 | $123,999 |
Respondents: 61
Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the planning department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$99,000 | $126,000 | $134,022 | $172,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$112,713 | $128,571 | $109,972 | $165,219 |
Respondents: 48
Performs a variety of procurement duties in support of the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$46,300 | $60,000 | $64,905 | $80,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$68,333 | $54,900 | $72,230 | $66,600 |
Respondents: 32
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$84,000 | $107,000 | $115,210 | $143,166 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$82,438 | $109,757 | $110,832 | $138,076 |
Respondents: 39
Supervises projects, generally in a specific field such as engineering, IT, planning, procurement or rolling stock
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$78,000 | $100,523 | $109,091 | $139,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $75,700 | $99,646 | $122,491 |
Respondents: 46
Develops, manages and administers project management program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$135,000 | $158,000 | $172,530 | $205,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $160,800 | $182,148 |
Respondents: 16
Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's risk management program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$80,700 | $97,000 | $100,068 | $105,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $88,188 | $112,857 |
Respondents: 18
Assists in implementing safety objectives
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$65,000 | $92,000 | $90,511 | $112,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $78,750 | $83,188 | $101,321 |
Respondents: 24
Oversees safety department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$85,000 | $110,000 | $119,155 | $145,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$68,000 | $96,667 | $108,872 | $132,947 |
Respondents: 29
Handles day-to-day scheduling tasks; no supervisory role
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$52,000 | $80,000 | $71,877 | $83,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $70,000 | $73,923 | $77,876 |
Respondents: 19
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$69,400 | $97,000 | $93,257 | $110,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $96,634 |
Respondents: 12
Directs organization's security and policing programs to protect employees and customers
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$98,885 | $141,000 | $134,035 | $170,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $150,214 |
Respondents: 11
Delivers training to employees
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$65,000 | $82,000 | $80,016 | $92,424 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $92,500 | $82,356 | $76,415 |
Respondents: 20
Assesses staff training requirements and implements programs to meet employee needs
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$80,000 | $90,000 | $95,446 | $105,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $78,750 | $82,000 | $104,669 |
Respondents: 21
News and commentary in public transportation, and the latest job postings and solicitations.