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Subway and Streetcar Operators

Transportation and Material Moving (53-4041)

Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.

At a Glance

Subway and Streetcar Operators earns a median of $84,830/yr with +3.4% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment, Microsoft Office software, Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.

Median Annual Wage

$84,830/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.4%

Annual Openings

1

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (5)

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

3.9
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

3.9
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.6
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.4
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.3

Knowledge (3)

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

4.4
Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

3.9
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.7

Abilities (21)

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

4.1
Reaction Time

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

3.9
Multilimb Coordination

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

3.9
Auditory Attention

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

3.8
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.8
Rate Control

The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.

3.8
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.8
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.8
Arm-Hand Steadiness

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

3.6
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.6
Response Orientation

The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.

3.6
Perceptual Speed

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

3.6
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.6
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.6
Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

3.5
Manual Dexterity

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

3.5
Depth Perception

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

3.5
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.4
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.4
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.3
Time Sharing

The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

3.3

Technology (1)

Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (14)

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

4.6
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.4
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.4
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.2
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.9
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.8
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.8
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.7
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

3.4
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.3
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

3.3

Work Styles (1)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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