Europe’s train drivers: How do their salaries stack up?

Europe’s train drivers: How do their salaries stack up?

In late February 2026, widespread disruptions affected public transport in Germany. The conflict was resolved in early March when Deutsche Bahn and the GDL union finalized a pay agreement. Yet, the question remains: what do the wages of tram, bus, and train operators look like in Germany?

Salary Insights from the Federal Statistical Office

According to Destatis, the country’s official statistics body, skilled bus and tram drivers earn roughly €3,638 gross per month on average as of April 2025. In contrast, train and locomotive drivers in the rail sector receive a higher average, reaching up to €4,600 gross monthly. Gross earnings refer to pre-tax income before social security deductions. The national average for full-time workers in Germany is €4,784 gross per month, meaning both bus and tram drivers and train operators fall slightly below or near this benchmark.

Complex Roles in the Railway Sector

Within the broader public transport industry, several roles command higher pay. Among nine other key positions, railroad construction workers in advanced roles lead with a median gross monthly salary of €6,229. This drops to €4,844 for skilled positions. Similarly, infrastructure inspection and maintenance roles pay €6,074 for complex roles, decreasing to €5,292 for mid-level and €3,618 for entry-level workers. Surveillance and traffic control positions offer €5,503, while technical operations earn €4,188. The lowest median earnings in the sector are for service roles in road and rail transport, at €3,568—slightly less than bus and tram drivers.

Comparative Data from the ERI Institute

Additional figures from the ERI Economic Research Institute’s Salary Expert indicate tram drivers earn an average of €3,053 gross per month. Subway train operators, however, see significantly higher compensation, averaging €5,978 gross monthly. Despite this, train drivers in Germany still lag behind the national average. Aviation is the highest-paying industry in the country, followed by healthcare and legal sectors. Pilots, for instance, have a median annual gross income of €27,459. While train drivers rank among the top earners in the EU, their salaries remain below the German average when measured in nominal terms.

UK Rail Sector Earnings

Compared to Germany, the UK’s rail and Tube industries offer more competitive wages. The ONS reports the median gross annual income for full-time workers in the UK reached £37,430 (€44,211) in April 2024. Train and tram drivers, however, earned a median of £63,958 (€75,545), placing them among the top 20 highest-paid occupations. These roles outpace even barristers and judges, who earn £59,423 (€70,189) annually—a gap of £4,535.

“Rail drivers in the UK are among the most financially rewarding jobs, reflecting the sector’s strong position in the national wage hierarchy.”