Welcome to the eighth salary survey compiled by Transit Talent since 2008. This is a self-reported survey. It's not a comprehensive analysis of transit agency compensation data. We're hoping that you still find this data interesting and useful. If you have suggestions to improve the survey, please send a note to [email protected].
The data was collected directly from employees of public transit agencies via email invitations beginning March 2023 and ending in May 2023. Respondents were asked to provide their base salary as of December 31, 2022, along with their location (state), job title, department and size of agency.
In all, approximately 1,000 responses were collected, of which 920 were included in the survey.
Respondents were also asked about changes in their salaries, as well as job satisfaction and work arrangements.
More than a quarter (26%) of the respondents said they had received a salary increase of 5% or more. And more than a third (37%) said they had received a 3% to 4% hike.
Key Respondent Comments"Our department saw significant increases after the conclusion of a (very long) comprehensive compensation study."
"Appreciate the GM and her executive team observing and being aware of inflation, which led to salary increases."
"All employees of organization received one-time $5,000 payment in lieu of base wage increase in 2022."
"The only increases received have come as a result of new labor contracts. In almost seven years, I've received less than a 3% increase annually."
"Our agency recently implemented longevity increases for employees for 15+, 20+ and 25+ years employment, which increased my base pay by 10%."
"Increase was due to a 6% merit raise to help against inflation. Usually for the agency, 4% is the maximum merit raise anyone can get."
"We were not given any performance appraisal increase. Just the across-the-board COLA."
More than a third of respondents (37%) said they were slightly more satisfied or significantly more satisfied with their jobs in the past year. Meanwhile, a similar number of respondents (35%) reported being slightly less or significantly less satisfied.
Key Respondent Comments"No concrete direction or knowledge from executive management. Work has imploded, stress level has gone up, less manpower."
"Shortage of bus operators has led to having to rearrange and cut service well below what is needed. That has created much more work for everyone who works on service change implementation, leading to burnout."
"My job satisfaction was already very high, but when experiencing a major life change this year, I feel grateful to be a part of this team and for their support and understanding."
"Culturally, the environment is suffering. There is not enough diversity in the upper management and executive levels."
"The hybrid work schedule is a game changer. I am thrilled to be able to spend more time with my husband and elderly dog when I work from home."
"The work culture is changing for the positive. If the workload could level off so I could have a worklife balance, I’d be more satisfied."
"I'm working on several challenging long-term projects that take advantage of my experience and institutional knowledge. It's good to still have value as I near retirement."
"Happy to be back in the office with the available flexibility offered. Position was re-evaluated and upgraded pay scale. Great people around me and generally a happy place to work."
About two-fifths of respondents reported working in a hybrid arrangement of in-person and remote, while 57% said they were working on-site every day. Because the responses to this question were submitted in the spring, work arrangements likely have changed somewhat, with more workers being required to increase their in-person commitments.
Key Respondent Comments"My job can be done 100% through remote work. I enjoy not having to commute to the office and would not stay at my job if coming into the office were required at all."
"We have the ability to request to work remotely two days a week but they cannot be consecutive days."
"Fully remote preferred. We are losing a lot of talent at our transit agency due to a shift in return to minimum 3, 4, and 5 day in-person requirements. I hope you'll share this news with leaders as I fear all of our talent will leave public sector as result."
"Will consider resigning from position or renegotiating salary/benefits if flexibility is removed."
"Since the majority of our staff are front-line (bus operators and bus maintenance staff) who cannot work remotely, management and executive staff are committed to work in-person."
"Leaders should not work from home when their staff cannot. Mine cannot, so I work on-site even though I could work a hybrid schedule."
"My role is mostly remote. It's the biggest and most appreciated benefit in my job."
---------------------------------------------------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.
LINKS TO PREVIOUS SALARY SURVEYS:
2019 |
2016 |
2013 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008
Clerical support; no supervisory duties
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$60,000 | $61,000 | $57,952 | $66,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $65,833 | $61,000 |
Respondents: 9
Supervises administrative assistants / assistant to top executive
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$70,000 | $74,000 | $78,993 | $86,503 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $78,750 | $68,872 | $86,340 |
Respondents: 25
Secretary to the board of directors
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$62,400 | $82,000 | $108,575 | $168,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $128,000 | N/A |
Respondents: 8
Performs a variety of duties in the development and coordination of civil rights / compliance programs
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$85,939 | $87,000 | $108,115 | $145,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $107,314 | $116,990 |
Respondents: 12
Implements customer service programs and supervises customer service representatives
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$61,000 | $80,000 | $75,611 | $87,500 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $72,750 | N/A | $81,125 |
Respondents: 9
Performs a variety of duties in support of engineering department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$73,200 | $100,000 | $113,674 | $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 | $111,231 |
Respondents: 14
Plans, directs, manages and oversees engineering activities
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$110,000 | $125,000 | $120,571 | $130,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $121,800 |
Respondents: 7
Assumes full management responsibility for engineering department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$131,000 | $155,000 | $158,222 | $200,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $165,500 |
Respondents: 9
Plans, directs, manages and oversees system operation and maintenance
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$143,000 | $200,000 | $198,168 | $254,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$135,913 | $147,000 | $215,386 | $235,867 |
Respondents: 18
Plans, directs, manages and oversees administrative activities
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$109,740 | $130,000 | $150,503 | $216,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$118,309 | $134,200 | $159,600 | $238,300 |
Respondents: 18
Responsible for the overall operation of the organization, including development and implementation of policies and procedures
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$128,000 | $160,000 | $177,170 | $210,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$154,027 | $184,750 | $201,077 | $316,000 |
Respondents: 42
Oversees the agency's facility management program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$92,000 | $106,000 | $110,571 | $135,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $103,000 | N/A |
Respondents: 8
Oversees the agency's fare collection program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$65,000 | $95,000 | $102,274 | $155,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $146,750 | $80,956 |
Respondents: 10
Handles day-to-day analysis of finance program; no supervisory role
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$81,000 | $87,000 | $88,161 | $94,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $85,000 |
Respondents: 8
Directs accounting/finance staff, along with budget and cost controls, financial analysis, accounting practices and reports
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$87,628 | $126,000 | $127,000 | $173,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $92,390 | N/A | $163,005 |
Respondents: 12
Directs the overall financial plans and accounting practices of an organization
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$105,000 | $116,000 | $146,247 | $177,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$110,286 | $115,223 | N/A | $215,800 |
Respondents: 18
Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's government affairs program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$75,000 | $85,000 | $107,347 | $175,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $111,000 | $103,695 |
Respondents: 8
Reviews, evaluates and implements the organization's grants program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$57,750 | $95,000 | $100,734 | $144,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$77,904 | $85,875 | N/A | $150,061 |
Respondents: 15
Performs a variety of duties within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$62,000 | $70,632 | $78,221 | $84,989 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $81,619 | $81,478 | N/A |
Respondents: 12
Performs assigned program activities within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$60,900 | $65,835 | $78,861 | $92,780 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $71,712 | $83,517 |
Respondents: 20
Supervises and coordinates activities within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$82,000 | $90,000 | $89,000 | $138,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $85,119 | $121,286 | $115,000 |
Respondents: 19
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the human resources department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$123,000 | $146,000 | $149,737 | $180,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$137,620 | $140,120 | $151,901 | $185,291 |
Respondents: 28
Performs assigned program activities within the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$110,000 | $113,500 | $111,400 | $119,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 108,500 | N/A |
Respondents: 9
Assists CIO/Director with supervision of information technology staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$122,500 | $160,000 | $142,164 | $182,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $141,100 | $182,000 |
Respondents: 14
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the information technology department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$90,000 | $142,000 | $134,995 | $180,198 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$111,750 | $130,185 | N/A | N/A |
Respondents: 12
Provides a range of legal services
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$146,000 | $160,000 | $178,045 | $228,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $161,417 | $167,930 |
Respondents: 18
Supervises and coordinates equipment and fleet maintenance program activities and operations
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$78,000 | $96,300 | $100,428 | $117,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$87,880 | N/A | $98,717 | $103,815 |
Respondents: 30
Administers, directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of staff performing maintenance administration
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$103,000 | $120,000 | $128,339 | $156,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $131,334 | $123,335 | $134,819 |
Respondents: 35
Performs a variety of marketing / communications duties
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$62,000 | $66,560 | $77,591 | $85,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $62,089 | $65,000 | $103,957 |
Respondents: 21
Assists with directing the marketing / communications program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$72,653 | $102,000 | $98,817 | $112,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$88,609 | N/A | $100,964 | $113,500 |
Respondents: 22
Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the marketing / communications department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$80,000 | $127,000 | $121,690 | $147,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$101,884 | $120,750 | $118,167 | $163,000 |
Respondents: 18
Supervises and coordinates daily operations and activities. Provides work direction and supervision of operational staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$79,300 | $100,000 | $102,254 | $118,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$80,368 | $99,479 | $107,286 | $113,333 |
Respondents: 64
Develops and administers policies and procedures for transit operations
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$111,000 | $130,000 | $139,630 | $167,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$99,806 | $134,000 | $146,625 | $154,368 |
Respondents: 53
Oversees paratransit operations, often directly supervising bus operators and other staff
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$65,000 | $81,000 | $90,279 | $105,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $79,000 | $82,000 | $112,116 |
Respondents: 16
Plans and directs programs relating to paratransit service. Develops policies and programs to meet organizational needs
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$112,400 | $126,000 | $123,486 | $134,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $129,680 |
Respondents: 7
Performs a variety of planning duties
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$62,000 | $75,600 | $79,126 | $96,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $76,537 | $73,657 | $88,214 |
Respondents: 22
Assists with producing and directing the organization's planning program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$80,000 | $105,000 | $101,684 | $123,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$88,142 | $92,500 | $106,535 | $112,714 |
Respondents: 27
Manages planning activities or administers policies according to executive-level direction
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$98,000 | $115,600 | $116,171 | $135,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$103,482 | $110,684 | $108,422 | $123,733 |
Respondents: 45
Directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the planning department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$134,000 | $152,000 | $157,310 | $186,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $134,300 | $151,800 | $171,000 |
Respondents: 20
Performs a variety of procurement duties in support of the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$62,000 | $74,000 | $79,333 | $100,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$76,000 | $74,250 | N/A | N/A |
Respondents: 9
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$100,000 | $115,000 | $123,780 | $130,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $123,250 | $101,650 | $150,167 |
Respondents: 16
Supervises projects, generally in a specific field such as engineering, IT, planning, procurement or rolling stock
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$81,000 | $97,000 | $104,496 | $133,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $105,500 | $115,917 |
Respondents: 18
Develops, manages and administers project management program
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$118,247 | $128,000 | $147,822 | $188,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $123,458 | $182,150 |
Respondents: 11
Assists in implementing safety objectives
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$69,000 | $85,000 | $88,781 | $106,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $72,500 | $101,954 |
Respondents: 21
Oversees safety department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$95,000 | $132,000 | $140,072 | $170,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
$93,857 | $127,200 | N/A | $173,650 |
Respondents: 25
Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the department
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$77,000 | $114,000 | $106,655 | $126,235 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $111,847 | $102,239 |
Respondents: 11
Directs organization's security and policing programs to protect employees and customers
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$99,850 | $130,000 | $134,649 | $178,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | $121,080 | $141,899 |
Respondents: 16
Delivers training to employees
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$68,000 | $93,000 | $95,154 | $120,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | N/A | $96,333 |
Respondents: 13
Assesses staff training requirements and implements programs to meet employee needs
25th Percentile | Median | Mean | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
$75,000 | $97,000 | $97,671 | $116,000 |
1 to 199 Employees |
200 to 499 Employees |
500 to 1,499 Employees |
1,500 or more Employees |
---|---|---|---|
N/A | $97,600 | N/A | $102,236 |
Respondents: 17
News and commentary in public transportation, and the latest job postings and solicitations.