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

In late February, Germany experienced transport disruptions due to strikes. The conflict was resolved in early March after Deutsche Bahn and the GDL union agreed on a pay settlement. However, the question remains: what is the typical income for those operating trams, buses, and trains in the country?

According to Destatis, the national statistical office, skilled operators of buses and trams earn approximately €3,638 gross monthly as of April 2025. In contrast, train and locomotive drivers in the railway sector see higher compensation, averaging up to €4,600 gross per month. Gross earnings represent pre-tax income before social security contributions, and the national average for full-time workers in Germany stands at €4,784 as of the same month. This indicates that both bus and tram drivers, as well as train drivers, are earning either slightly less than or just above the overall average.

Salary Variations Within the Sector

Among the diverse roles in public transport, certain positions command higher pay. In the railway industry, employees in railroad construction hold the top median gross earnings at €6,229 monthly. This decreases to €4,844 for skilled workers. Similarly, roles focused on inspecting and maintaining railway infrastructure also offer substantial compensation, with median gross earnings of €6,074. This drops to €5,292 for complex roles and €3,618 for skilled positions. Surveillance and control of railway traffic rank at €5,503, while technical operations in railways earn €4,188. The lowest pay in the sector, based on available data, is found in service roles related to road and railway traffic, at €3,568—slightly below the tram and bus driver average.

Notably, the data reveal that highly complex railway jobs exceed the national average for full-time employment. Yet, simpler roles like train and tram driving fall short. The official figures cover over 1,300 job titles, placing skilled train engine drivers at 667th on the earnings scale, while skilled bus and tram operators rank 985th.

Comparative Insights from the UK

Data from the ERI Salary Expert further illuminate regional differences. In Germany, tram drivers receive an average base salary of €3,053 gross monthly, whereas subway train drivers earn significantly more at €5,978. Despite this, Germany’s train drivers remain below the national average. Meanwhile, in the UK, rail and Tube workers outperform the national median income. The ONS reported that full-time employees earned a median gross annual salary of £37,430 (€44,211) in April 2024. Train and tram drivers, however, ranked higher, with a median salary of £63,958 (€75,545). These roles are among the top 20 highest-paid occupations in the UK.

Train drivers in the UK also surpass barristers and judges, whose median salary was £59,423 (€70,189). This creates a gap of £4,535 between rail professionals and legal practitioners. While Germany’s train drivers are among the EU’s highest earners, their salaries lag behind the national average, even when compared to other European countries.

“Train drivers in Germany are among the highest paid in the EU, but their earnings remain below the national average.”

Although Germany’s railway sector is well-compensated, the salary gap between complex roles and simpler ones highlights the disparity within the industry. The data from both Destatis and the ERI Salary Expert underscore this trend, offering a clear picture of how income varies across European public transport professions.