Illinois · current pay rates
How much do Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) employees make?
$44.39an hour
Typical hourly wage · 10,069 paid by the hour
Most between $31.08 and $44.53
$117,946a year
Typical salary · 1,237 salaried
Most between $89,508 and $140,627
✓ Official data from Chicago Transit AuthorityMatches the agency's latest releasetransitchicago.com ↗
What these figures are
Chicago Transit Authority publishes the pay rate of everyone on its current employee list: a yearly salary for salaried jobs, and a wage per hour for the rest. That is what the job pays today, not what someone was paid over a year, so overtime, extra pay and time not worked are not part of it.
- 89%10,069 people paid by the hour: typical hourly wage $44.39 an hour, most between $31.08 and $44.53.
- 11%1,237 people salaried: typical salary $117,946 a year, most between $89,508 and $140,627.
Pay rates · 2026
What a typical job pays
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Rates,
not
paychecks
not
paychecks
| Hourly wage10,069 people | $44.39an hour |
|---|---|
| Salary1,237 people | $117,946a year |
The rate each job pays on the current employee list. Overtime and extra pay are not included.
Matches the agency's latest release
Pay by job
Jobs held by 5 or more people today. Typical rate for each pay type; "Most get" is the range for most people in the job.
| Job | People | Salary | Hourly | Most get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Operator | 4,286 | – | $44.39 | $31.08 – $44.39/hr |
| Customer Service Assistant | 567 | – | $20.21 | $18.10 – $21.34/hr |
| Rapid Transit Operator | 407 | – | $44.39 | $35.51 – $44.39/hr |
| Bus Mechanic | 344 | – | $47.06 | $47.06 – $47.06/hr |
| Janitor Rapid transit | 255 | – | $37.73 | $37.73 – $37.73/hr |
| Customer Service Representative | 240 | – | $43.60 | $43.60 – $43.60/hr |
| Bus Servicer | 223 | – | $37.73 | $26.42 – $37.73/hr |
| Switch Worker | 217 | – | $44.53 | $44.53 – $44.53/hr |
| Flagger | 199 | – | $24.53 | $24.53 – $24.53/hr |
| Car Servicer | 183 | – | $37.73 | $28.30 – $37.73/hr |
| Track Worker | 165 | – | $39.96 | $31.96 – $39.96/hr |
| Bus Servicer Apprentice | 165 | – | $17.74 | $17.74 – $17.74/hr |
| Extra Board | 120 | – | $43.60 | $32.71 – $43.60/hr |
| Car Repairer 'a' | 113 | – | $47.06 | $47.06 – $47.06/hr |
| Electrical Worker | 93 | – | $59.99 | $59.99 – $59.99/hr |
| Combined Rail Operator | 92 | – | $30.52 | $30.52 – $30.52/hr |
| Signal Maintainer | 90 | – | $67.18 | $67.18 – $67.18/hr |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic | 85 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Machinist Rail | 84 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Ironworker | 79 | – | $64.19 | $64.19 – $64.19/hr |
| Bus Service Supervisor II | 72 | – | $50.80 | $49.64 – $50.80/hr |
| Universal Rail Supervisor II | 70 | – | $49.35 | $49.35 – $49.35/hr |
| Service Truck Chauffeur I | 67 | – | $47.55 | $47.55 – $47.55/hr |
| Car Servicer Apprentice | 62 | – | $17.74 | $17.74 – $17.74/hr |
| College Intern | 59 | $47,840 | – | $43,680 – $47,840/yr |
| Line Worker | 56 | – | $67.18 | $67.18 – $67.18/hr |
| Manager Maintenance - Bus | 54 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Tower Worker | 51 | – | $44.56 | $44.56 – $44.56/hr |
| Carpenter 'a' | 49 | – | $58.51 | $58.51 – $58.51/hr |
| Bus Service Supervisor I | 46 | – | $48.19 | $48.19 – $48.76/hr |
| Rail Janitor Apprentice | 43 | – | $17.74 | $17.74 – $17.74/hr |
| Rail Truck Shop Repairer | 41 | – | $47.76 | $47.76 – $47.76/hr |
| Manager Bus Operations | 41 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Sheet Metal Worker | 40 | – | $56.85 | $56.85 – $56.85/hr |
| Yardmaster | 39 | – | $54.74 | $54.74 – $54.74/hr |
| Manager Maintenance - Rail | 38 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Bus Instructor I | 38 | – | $49.35 | $48.76 – $49.35/hr |
| Stockroom Clerk - Bus | 37 | – | $44.41 | $30.79 – $44.41/hr |
| Carpenter | 35 | – | $58.51 | $58.51 – $58.51/hr |
| Universal Rail Supervisor I | 33 | – | $46.44 | $46.44 – $47.90/hr |
| Laborer Building | 32 | – | $39.95 | $29.96 – $39.95/hr |
| Bus Controller | 31 | – | $55.61 | $55.61 – $55.61/hr |
| Rail Instructor I | 31 | – | $49.35 | $48.76 – $49.35/hr |
| Manager Transportation - Rail | 29 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| B Electrician Substation maintenance | 29 | – | $63.15 | $63.15 – $63.15/hr |
| B Electrician | 29 | – | $63.15 | $63.15 – $63.15/hr |
| Bus Instructor II | 28 | – | $50.80 | $49.64 – $50.80/hr |
| Painter | 27 | – | $56.30 | $56.30 – $56.30/hr |
| Warehouse Worker I | 26 | – | $39.30 | $27.24 – $39.30/hr |
| Rail Hvac Repairer | 26 | – | $50.35 | $50.35 – $50.35/hr |
| Escalator Mechanic | 24 | – | $73.65 | $73.65 – $73.65/hr |
| Clerk IV Bus | 23 | – | $46.16 | $45.43 – $46.16/hr |
| Rail Clerk II | 23 | – | $47.90 | $47.90 – $47.90/hr |
| Cash Box Puller | 22 | – | $43.80 | $43.80 – $43.80/hr |
| Bus Rev Equipment Field Technician | 22 | – | $58.80 | $58.80 – $58.80/hr |
| Machinist Building | 22 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Rail Controller | 21 | – | $56.30 | $56.30 – $56.30/hr |
| Painter Various | 21 | – | $56.30 | $56.30 – $56.30/hr |
| Rail Janitor Coordinator | 20 | – | $42.44 | $42.44 – $42.44/hr |
| Rail Carbody Inspector | 19 | – | $48.23 | $48.23 – $48.23/hr |
| Janitor Buildings and grounds | 19 | – | $37.73 | $37.73 – $37.73/hr |
| Rail Controls Inspector | 19 | – | $49.41 | $49.41 – $49.41/hr |
| Stockroom Clerk I | 19 | – | $44.41 | $35.18 – $44.41/hr |
| Rail Instructor II | 18 | – | $50.22 | $49.64 – $50.80/hr |
| Manager Rail Station Management | 18 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Coordinator Rail Car Appearance | 16 | $85,912 | – | $85,912 – $85,912/yr |
| Rail Customer Service Representative / Security Controller | 15 | – | $50.99 | $50.99 – $50.99/hr |
| Telephone Line Worker | 13 | – | $67.18 | $67.18 – $67.18/hr |
| Laborer South shops | 12 | – | $39.95 | $39.95 – $39.95/hr |
| Line Worker Helper | 12 | – | $40.61 | $39.30 – $41.92/hr |
| Coordinator Bus Maintenance | 12 | $85,912 | – | $85,912 – $85,912/yr |
| Machinist | 12 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Roadmaster III | 11 | – | $57.59 | $57.59 – $57.59/hr |
| Signal Foreperson | 11 | – | $73.73 | $73.73 – $73.73/hr |
| Rail Terminal Supervisor | 11 | – | $50.80 | $50.22 – $50.80/hr |
| Inspection Terminal Instructor II | 11 | – | $50.80 | $50.80 – $50.80/hr |
| Rail Clerk III | 11 | – | $45.43 | $44.70 – $46.16/hr |
| Mechanical Unit Assembler | 11 | – | $55.70 | $55.70 – $55.70/hr |
| Plumber | 10 | – | $62.00 | $62.00 – $62.00/hr |
| Roadmaster II | 10 | – | $50.13 | $50.13 – $50.13/hr |
| Project Specialist II Rail Operations | 9 | $80,211 | – | $80,211 – $80,211/yr |
| Rail Technician | 9 | – | $50.82 | $50.82 – $50.82/hr |
| Electrical Maintainer Specialist | 9 | – | $70.47 | $70.47 – $70.47/hr |
| Senior Manager Maintenance - Rail | 9 | $140,627 | – | $140,627 – $140,627/yr |
| Administrator Procurement | 9 | $84,679 | – | $84,679 – $84,679/yr |
| Rail Instructor III | 9 | – | $55.16 | $55.16 – $55.16/hr |
| Manager Bus Supervision | 9 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Building Operating Engineer | 9 | – | $60.72 | $60.72 – $60.72/hr |
| Assembler Helper | 9 | – | $40.23 | $40.23 – $40.23/hr |
| Steamfitter Heating and air conditioning | 9 | – | $61.00 | $61.00 – $61.00/hr |
| Senior Garage Instructor | 9 | – | $55.16 | $55.16 – $55.16/hr |
| Power Controller | 9 | – | $58.59 | $58.59 – $58.59/hr |
| Vehicle Maintenance Office Clerk | 8 | – | $44.41 | $44.41 – $44.41/hr |
| Motor Cleaner | 8 | – | $37.73 | $37.73 – $37.73/hr |
| Project Specialist II - Bus Operations | 8 | $80,211 | – | $80,211 – $80,211/yr |
| Manager Control Center | 8 | $129,740 | – | $129,740 – $129,740/yr |
| Foreperson Electrical Workers | 8 | – | $69.36 | $69.36 – $69.36/hr |
| Machinist Frog shop | 8 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Manager Supply Chain Operations | 8 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Key Instructor | 8 | – | $54.28 | $53.99 – $55.16/hr |
| Clerk III Bus | 8 | – | $49.35 | $49.35 – $49.35/hr |
| Manager Administration - Rail | 8 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Transit System Safety Officer | 8 | $103,943 | – | $103,943 – $103,943/yr |
| Blacksmith and Welder Skokie | 8 | – | $62.06 | $62.06 – $62.06/hr |
| Machine Shop Foreperson Skokie | 8 | – | $65.89 | $65.89 – $65.89/hr |
| Engine Washer | 7 | – | $37.73 | $37.73 – $37.73/hr |
| Mobile Bus Mechanic | 7 | – | $47.57 | $47.57 – $47.57/hr |
| Senior Manager Bus Operations | 7 | $140,627 | – | $140,627 – $140,627/yr |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic Foreperson | 7 | – | $65.89 | $65.89 – $65.89/hr |
| Senior Manager Rail Station Management | 7 | $140,627 | – | $140,627 – $140,627/yr |
| Senior Administrator Procurement | 7 | $95,038 | – | $95,038 – $95,038/yr |
| Bus Scheduler I | 7 | $91,519 | – | $91,519 – $91,519/yr |
| Blacksmith and Welder | 7 | – | $62.06 | $62.06 – $62.06/hr |
| Stockroom Clerk II | 7 | – | $45.43 | $45.43 – $46.16/hr |
| Senior Manager Maintenance - Bus | 7 | $140,627 | – | $140,627 – $140,627/yr |
| Chief Clerk Rail | 7 | – | $50.80 | $50.80 – $50.80/hr |
| Chief Clerk Bus | 7 | – | $50.80 | $50.80 – $50.80/hr |
| Clerk II Bus | 7 | – | $47.90 | $47.90 – $47.90/hr |
| Operations Business Manager | 7 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Laborer | 7 | – | $39.95 | $39.95 – $39.95/hr |
| Control Center Communications Coordinator | 7 | – | $40.05 | $40.05 – $40.05/hr |
| Revenue Equipment Line Worker | 7 | – | $67.18 | $67.18 – $67.18/hr |
| Electrical Worker Leader | 7 | – | $59.99 | $59.99 – $59.99/hr |
| Construction Project Manager II | 7 | – | $59.47 | $59.47 – $59.47/hr |
| Tire Repairer | 7 | – | $47.06 | $47.06 – $47.06/hr |
| Testing Engineer V | 6 | – | $72.47 | $72.47 – $72.47/hr |
| Machinist Leader a | 6 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Supervisor Clerk | 6 | – | $55.16 | $55.16 – $55.16/hr |
| Signal Engineer I | 6 | – | $52.40 | $52.40 – $52.40/hr |
| Signal Helper | 6 | – | $40.61 | $39.30 – $41.92/hr |
| Senior Manager Transportation - Rail | 6 | $140,627 | – | $140,627 – $140,627/yr |
| Painter Foreperson | 6 | – | $63.34 | $63.34 – $63.34/hr |
| Line Foreperson | 6 | – | $73.73 | $73.73 – $73.73/hr |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic Leader | 6 | – | $61.89 | $61.89 – $61.89/hr |
| Senior Manager Control Center | 6 | $152,159 | – | $152,159 – $152,159/yr |
| Track Maintenance Coordinator | 6 | – | $62.17 | $62.17 – $62.17/hr |
| Coordinator Second Chance Programs | 6 | $88,776 | – | $88,776 – $88,776/yr |
| Analyst Security | 6 | $77,860 | – | $77,860 – $77,860/yr |
| Construction Safety Officer | 6 | $103,943 | – | $103,943 – $103,943/yr |
| Sub Assembler | 6 | – | $49.51 | $49.51 – $49.51/hr |
| Bricklayer | 6 | – | $54.81 | $54.81 – $54.81/hr |
| Customer Service Representative I | 6 | – | $31.44 | $25.05 – $39.30/hr |
| Senior Attorney - Labor and Employment | 5 | $123,994 | – | $123,994 – $136,394/yr |
| Senior Project Manager Vehicle Engineering | 5 | $140,627 | – | $140,627 – $140,627/yr |
| Video Surveillance Specialist | 5 | $83,419 | – | $83,419 – $83,419/yr |
| Sheet Metal Foreperson | 5 | – | $62.54 | $62.54 – $62.54/hr |
| Claims Adjuster | 5 | $87,415 | – | $87,415 – $87,415/yr |
| Steamfitter General maintenance | 5 | – | $61.00 | $61.00 – $61.00/hr |
| Chief Attorney - Torts | 5 | $158,689 | – | $158,689 – $158,689/yr |
| Testing Engineer II | 5 | – | $62.15 | $62.15 – $62.15/hr |
| Coordinator Inventory Control - Supply Chain | 5 | $87,021 | – | $87,021 – $87,021/yr |
| Manager Administration - Rail Station Management | 5 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Rail Quality Improvement Technician | 5 | – | $50.24 | $50.24 – $50.24/hr |
| Engineer I - Structural | 5 | – | $55.89 | $55.89 – $55.89/hr |
| Instructional Designer | 5 | $90,977 | – | $90,977 – $90,977/yr |
| Manager Rail Car Appearance | 5 | $117,946 | – | $117,946 – $117,946/yr |
| Machinist Foreperson | 5 | – | $65.89 | $65.89 – $65.89/hr |
No jobs match.
Salaries: how many get what
- Under $30k0
- $30k – $50k60
- $50k – $70k11
- $70k – $90k253
- $90k – $110k177
- $110k – $130k378
- $130k – $150k152
- $150k or more206
People paid a yearly salary.
Hourly wages: how many get what
- Under $150
- $15 – $20546
- $20 – $25513
- $25 – $30936
- $30 – $402,265
- $40 – $504,321
- $50 – $60720
- $60 or more768
People paid by the hour, part-time included.
Pay by department
| Department | People | Salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Operations | 4,383 | $117,946 | $44.39 |
| Rail Operations | 1,348 | $117,946 | $44.39 |
| Rail Station Management | 1,216 | $117,946 | $21.34 |
| Bus Maintenance | 1,124 | $117,946 | $47.06 |
| Infrastructure Maintenance | 881 | $140,627 | $61.89 |
| Rail Maintenance | 860 | $117,946 | $47.06 |
| Control Center | 238 | $129,740 | $50.80 |
| Transit Instruction | 190 | $117,946 | $49.35 |
| Purchasing | 170 | $95,038 | $43.54 |
| General Counsel | 115 | $112,778 | $38.65 |
| Training & Workforce Development | 96 | $47,840 | – |
| Technology | 75 | $125,129 | $67.18 |
| Chief Engineer | 72 | $145,382 | $59.29 |
| Human Resources | 70 | $101,081 | – |
| Safety | 51 | $111,898 | – |
Highest salaries at Chicago Transit Authority
Yearly salary on the current employee list (salaried jobs only).
- 1Cara BaderChief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer$273,574
- 2Donald BondsChief Transit Officer, Chief Transit Officer$273,574
- 3William Jr MooneyChief Infrastructure Officer, Chief Infrastructure Officer$273,574
- 4Joseph BirdChief Security Officer, Security$247,239
- 5Andrew FullerChief Internal Auditor, Chief Internal Audit$247,239
- 6Caroline GallagherChief Strategy Data and Technology Officer, Chief Strategy, Data & Technology Officer$247,239
- 7Kimberly HillChief Administrative Officer, Chief Administrative Officer$247,239
- 8Nora LeerhsenActing President, President$247,239
- 9Clarence MayberryChief of Staff, President$247,239
- 10Thomas MckoneChief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer$247,239
Common questions
How much do Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) employees make?
10,069 people paid by the hour: typical hourly wage $44.39 an hour, most between $31.08 and $44.53. 1,237 people salaried: typical salary $117,946 a year, most between $89,508 and $140,627.
Is this what people were actually paid?
No. These are pay rates: the salary or wage each job pays on the current employee list. What someone takes home over a year also depends on overtime, extra pay and how much of the year they worked, which this list does not show.
Who has the highest salary at Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)?
Cara Bader (Chief Operating Officer) with a salary of $273,574 a year.
Where does this data come from, and when is it updated?
From Chicago Transit Authority (transitchicago.com). It is republished by CTA a few times a year. Our figures match the agency's latest release.
"Typical" is the middle value: half are paid more, half less. "Most" is the middle half of people. Figures are calculated by PublicPayData from the official employee list. How we calculate this · Corrections & removals