2019 Salary Survey - Transit Talent

Salary Survey Graphic

Transit Talent presents results of its 2019 transit agency salary survey

This is our 7th peer-sampled salary survey. Respondents hail from 47 states, Washington, D.C., and 3 Canadian provinces.
Posted on Jan. 21, 2020

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


Search by Department

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.

Accounting

Accountant

Performs a variety of accounting duties with no supervisory role

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$50,000 $58,000 $63,667 $73,569

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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


Manager

Oversees and supervises the accounting staff

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$60,000 $86,000 $82,111 $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
N/A $80,333 N/A N/A

Respondents: 9

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Administrative/Clerical Support

Administrative Assistant

Clerical support; no supervisory duties

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$41,500 $50,000 $53,413 $67,912

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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


Senior Administrative Assistant / Executive Assistant

Supervises administrative assistants / assistant to top executive

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$58,666 $65,000 $65,897 $82,679

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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


Board Secretary / Clerk of the Board

Secretary to the board of directors

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$62,400 $70,000 $87,621 $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
$60,680 N/A $94,350 $77,200

Respondents: 14

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Civil Rights / Compliance
(ADA / DBE / EEO / Title VI)

Manager / Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$83,000 $104,000 $109,137 $130,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$107,750 N/A $115,500 $118,943

Respondents: 25

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Customer Service

Supervisor / Manager / Coordinator

Implements customer service programs and supervises customer service representatives

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$65,000 $66,000 $79,875 $88,000

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 $72,000 N/A $82,828

Respondents: 12


Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$90,000 $107,000 $114,167 $139,000

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 $125,500 $115,286

Respondents: 13

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Engineering

Engineer

Performs a variety of duties in support of engineering department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$100,000 $107,500 $112,721 $137,543

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 $111,750 $118,181

Respondents: 15


Supervisor / Manager

Plans, directs, manages and oversees engineering activities

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$114,000 $132,000 $124,182 $157,000

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 $120,000 $129,685

Respondents: 11


Director

Assumes full management responsibility for engineering department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$130,000 $157,000 $157,500 $185,000

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 $153,500 $161,800

Respondents: 14

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Executive / Management

Assistant General Manager, Operations / Chief Operations Officer

Plans, directs, manages and oversees system operation and maintenance

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$115,000 $145,600 $158,274 $212,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$112,191 $121,175 $177,568 $207,500

Respondents: 23


Assistant General Manager, Administration / Chief Administrative Officer

Plans, directs, manages and oversees administrative activities

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$115,000 $140,000 $154,048 $193,400

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$108,333 $138,748 $186,515 $189,714

Respondents: 27


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
$110,000 $152,000 $161,730 $201,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$136,109 $167,564 $222,017 $266,833

Respondents: 81

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Facility Management

Manager / Director

Oversees the agency's facility management program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$74,000 $82,400 $111,215 $165,000

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 $108,000 $126,721

Respondents: 12

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Fare Collection

Manager / Director

Oversees the agency's fare collection program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$89,000 $121,000 $116,702 $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
N/A N/A $109,308 $131,235

Respondents: 17

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Finance

Analyst

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$74,500 $87,000 $96,093 $125,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$87,000 N/A $91,523 $106,159

Respondents: 18


Controller

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$93,000 $116,900 $130,955 $170,000

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 $92,390 N/A $164,167

Respondents: 12


Chief Financial Officer / Finance Director

Directs the overall financial plans and accounting practices of an organization

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$85,000 $106,000 $119,113 $145,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$96,863 $95,258 $153,850 $177,800

Respondents: 28

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Government Affairs

Manager / Director

Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's government affairs program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$81,000 $102,000 $105,019 $132,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$137,333 N/A $92,583 $126,132

Respondents: 17

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Grants

Manager

Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's grants program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$65,000 $84,000 $89,116 $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
$63,313 $93,105 $87,038 $111,222

Respondents: 28

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Human Resources

Generalist

Performs a variety of duties within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$52,000 $69,000 $69,663 $85,703

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$64,000 $82,958 $72,813 $93,963

Respondents: 17


Specialist

Performs assigned program activities within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$68,088 $85,000 $84,489 $98,600

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$64,000 $82,978 $72,813 $93,963

Respondents: 15


Manager

Supervises and coordinates activities within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$76,000 $96,000 $99,968 $124,500

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$86,525 $102,667 $102,344 $104,352

Respondents: 22


Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$88,000 $109,000 $106,579 $130,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$80,544 $104,250 $114,625 $134,156

Respondents: 41

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Information Technology

Specialist / Analyst

Performs assigned program activities within the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $94,000 $90,782 $111,000

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 $95,401 $84,619

Respondents: 17


Manager

Assists CIO/Director with supervision of information technology staff

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $90,000 $101,026 $125,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$74,189 $80,600 $100,167 $124,500

Respondents: 22


Chief Information Officer / Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$101,000 $116,000 $123,974 $148,500

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 $118,200 $116,333 $147,417

Respondents: 19

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Maintenance

Fleet / Equipment Manager

Supervises and coordinates equipment and fleet maintenance program activities and operations

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$75,000 $89,000 $91,762 $107,947

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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


Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$91,500 $110,000 $122,384 $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
$85,948 $121,563 $116,591 $146,133

Respondents: 42

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Marketing & Communications

Specialist / Coordinator

Performs a variety of marketing / communications duties

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$47,453 $68,000 $68,630 $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
$63,529 $60,764 $65,887 $75,761

Respondents: 62


Manager

Assists with directing the marketing / communications program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $82,000 $85,560 $94,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$73,857 $72,890 $97,863 $107,600

Respondents: 33


Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$80,000 $91,000 $101,164 $132,100

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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

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Operations

Manager / Supervisor / Coordinator

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$70,000 $84,500 $91,762 $118,056

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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


Director

Develops and administers policies and procedures for transit operations

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$91,200 $119,000 $123,139 $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
$100,946 $128,714 $129,069 $130,081

Respondents: 86

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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
$64,000 $66,000 $78,857 $103,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$64,333 $75,750 $85,000 N/A

Respondents: 14


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
$80,000 $92,000 $97,298 $111,912

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 $94,478 $95,500 $107,826

Respondents: 15

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Planning

Planner

Performs a variety of planning duties

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$55,000 $66,600 $71,784 $85,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$68,647 $64,276 $73,820 $81,492

Respondents: 48


Senior Planner

Assists with producing and directing the organization's planning program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$71,000 $82,768 $88,215 $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
$73,400 $85,200 $85,074 $94,872

Respondents: 44


Manager

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$84,000 $102,000 $106,561 $130,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$84,887 $85,857 $98,825 $123,999

Respondents: 61


Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$99,000 $126,000 $134,022 $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
$112,713 $128,571 $109,972 $165,219

Respondents: 48

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Procurement

Buyer / Specialist / Coordinator

Performs a variety of procurement duties in support of the department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$46,300 $60,000 $64,905 $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
$68,333 $54,900 $72,230 $66,600

Respondents: 32


Manager / Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$84,000 $107,000 $115,210 $143,166

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
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

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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
$78,000 $100,523 $109,091 $139,000

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 $75,700 $99,646 $122,491

Respondents: 46


Director

Develops, manages and administers project management program

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$135,000 $158,000 $172,530 $205,000

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 $160,800 $182,148

Respondents: 16

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Risk Management

Manager / Director

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$80,700 $97,000 $100,068 $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
N/A N/A $88,188 $112,857

Respondents: 18

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Safety

Specialist / Coordinator

Assists in implementing safety objectives

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$65,000 $92,000 $90,511 $112,000

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 $78,750 $83,188 $101,321

Respondents: 24


Chief Safety Officer / Director of Safety

Oversees safety department

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$85,000 $110,000 $119,155 $145,000

Mean Salary by Size of Employer
1 to 199
Employees
200 to 499
Employees
500 to 1,499
Employees
1,500 or more
Employees
$68,000 $96,667 $108,872 $132,947

Respondents: 29

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Scheduling

Scheduler / Analyst

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$52,000 $80,000 $71,877 $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 $70,000 $73,923 $77,876

Respondents: 19


Supervisor / Manager

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

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$69,400 $97,000 $93,257 $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 N/A $96,634

Respondents: 12

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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
$98,885 $141,000 $134,035 $170,000

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 $150,214

Respondents: 11

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Training & Development

Instructor

Delivers training to employees

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$65,000 $82,000 $80,016 $92,424

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 $92,500 $82,356 $76,415

Respondents: 20


Manager

Assesses staff training requirements and implements programs to meet employee needs

Base Salary
25th Percentile Median Mean 75th Percentile
$80,000 $90,000 $95,446 $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
N/A $78,750 $82,000 $104,669

Respondents: 21

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