Light rail operator vs subway train operator

The differences between light rail operators and subway train operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a subway train operator has an average salary of $51,331, which is higher than the $42,958 average annual salary of a light rail operator.

Light rail operator vs subway train operator overview

	Light Rail Operator	Subway Train Operator
Yearly salary	$42,958	$51,331
Hourly rate	$20.65	$24.68
Growth rate	4%	-2%
Number of jobs	33,553	26,860
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	-

Light rail operator vs subway train operator salary

Light rail operators and subway train operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Light Rail Operator	Subway Train Operator
Average salary	$42,958	$51,331
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $76,000	Between $26,000 And $97,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between light rail operator and subway train operator education

There are a few differences between a light rail operator and a subway train operator in terms of educational background:

	Light Rail Operator	Subway Train Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Health Care Administration
Most common college	-	-

Light rail operator vs subway train operator demographics

Here are the differences between light rail operators' and subway train operators' demographics:

	Light Rail Operator	Subway Train Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7%	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 5.7% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 17.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	21%	21%

Differences between light rail operator and subway train operator duties and responsibilities

Light rail operator example responsibilities.

Operate switches through controls or manually; performs operations necessary to restore movement by trouble-shooting problem conditions.
Comply with all rules & regulations including knowledge of signals, speed & switches.
Monitor rail station CCTV equipment.

Subway train operator example responsibilities.

Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections on trolley vehicles prior and after operation of the vehicles.
Service and maintain the LACT units.

Light rail operator vs subway train operator skills

Common light rail operator skills

Switches, 27%
DOT, 19%
Emergency Situations, 19%
Customer Inquiries, 8%
FCC, 7%
Mechanical Problems, 6%

Common subway train operator skills

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Transportation Industry
Light Rail Operator
Light Rail Operator vs Subway Train Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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