Pay and benefits are from Notice of Examination No. 7603 and Notice No. 7703, as of October 2026. Yearly and weekly amounts are our own math from the notice's hourly rates.
The MTA train operator salary in the current notice is $41.16 per hour to start, rising to $42.00 per hour in the second year of service. Those are the only pay rates MTA New York City Transit publishes for the title in the Exam 7603 notice, and the notice adds that "these rates are subject to change." This guide shows what those rates come to by the week and the year, which benefits the notice lists and what it does not publish.
What Notice 7603 says about pay
The notice says: "The current minimum salary for Train Operator is $41.16 per hour for a 40-hour work week increasing to $42.00 per hour in the second year of service. These rates are subject to change." The promotion notice, Exam 7703, gives the same two rates.
Train operator pay by the week and the year
The table multiplies the notice's hourly rates by a 40-hour week and 52 weeks. It is base pay only, before overtime, night and weekend differentials, taxes and deductions.
| Period | Hourly rate | Per week (40 hours) | Per year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | $41.16 | $1,646.40 | $85,612.80 |
| Second year | $42.00 | $1,680.00 | $87,360.00 |
The yearly figures are our calculation, not numbers from the notice. Real pay depends on the hours you work, overtime and the rates in force when you are hired.
Overtime, nights and weekends
The notice says Train Operators "may be required to work various shifts, including nights, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays" and "must be available to work overtime as required." Its benefits list includes "night and weekend salary differentials." It does not give the differential amounts or the overtime rate, so we do not estimate them here.
Benefits listed in the notice
Notice 7603 says the benefits "include, but are not limited to":
- night and weekend salary differentials
- paid holidays
- vacation and sick leave
- a comprehensive medical plan
- a pension plan
The notice does not give the number of vacation days, the medical plan details or the pension terms.
What is not published
- Pay after the second year: the notice gives only the starting rate and the second-year rate. Searches for the MTA train operator salary after 5 years are common, but neither notice gives a rate past year two, and we found no official figure for it.
- Overtime and differential rates: listed as part of the job, with no amounts.
- Pay on the careers page: the Train Operator careers page gives no pay figure at all, so there is no conflict with the notice on pay. (It does conflict on the fee and on what the test covers; see how the NYC train operator exam works.)
How to get to the paycheck
Train Operators are hired from an eligible list ranked by score on the multiple-choice test, so a higher score means an earlier call. Exam 7603 testing is expected to begin on Saturday, December 5, 2026, and you need 70% to pass. To check you qualify, read how to become a train operator in NYC; to prepare, read the nine abilities explained.
Get an email when practice tests open
We'll email you when our NYC Subway Train Operator Exam practice sets open, with what they cover and how to prepare. No spam, and you can unsubscribe with one click.
We use your email only for this. See our privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an MTA train operator make per hour?
Notice 7603 gives $41.16 per hour to start and $42.00 per hour in the second year of service, for a 40-hour week. The rates are subject to change.
How much is that per year?
At 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, $41.16 an hour comes to $85,612.80 and $42.00 an hour to $87,360.00. That is our math, base pay only, before overtime and differentials.
What is the MTA train operator salary after 5 years?
Not published. The notice gives only the first-year and second-year rates.
Do train operators get overtime?
The notice says Train Operators must be available to work overtime as required. It does not give the overtime rate.
What benefits do train operators get?
The notice lists night and weekend salary differentials, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, a comprehensive medical plan and a pension plan, among others.
Is the pay the same if I am promoted to Train Operator?
The promotion notice, Exam 7703, gives the same rates: $41.16 per hour, rising to $42.00 per hour in the second year.
Official sources
- Notice of Examination, Train Operator, Exam No. 7603
- Notice of Examination, Promotion to Train Operator, Exam No. 7703
- Train Operator careers page
PrepRaven is an independent exam-prep site. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), MTA New York City Transit or any City or State agency. All practice questions are original. Facts are as of October 2026, checked against Notice of Examination No. 7603; always confirm dates and rules in the current notice.
Last updated October 2026