Working as a driver in the metro: how to get a job, how much they pay and what to expect

The metro is not just a transport artery of a metropolis, but a complex engineering system, where professionalism electric train driver The safety of thousands of passengers every day depends. Work in the metro is prestigious, stable and in demand, but it requires special preparation, iron endurance and readiness for non-standard situations. Unlike ground transport drivers, subway drivers work in the closed space of tunnels, where a mistake can lead to disaster.

In 2026, the demand for personnel in the metro remains high: in Moscow and St. Petersburg alone, up to 500 new specialists are required annually. At the same time, the profession is considered one of the most socially protected - with a guaranteed salary, benefits and the possibility of career growth to the head of the depot. But to get this job, you will have to go through a tough selection process, medical commissions and lengthy training. Let's figure out what a potential applicant needs to know, what pitfalls What to expect on the way and whether it’s worth connecting your life with the Underground Railroad.

Requirements for candidates: who can become a metro driver

The competition for a driver's position in the metro reaches 10–15 people per vacancyTherefore, the selection is carried out according to strict criteria. The first and main condition is Russian citizenship and permanent registration in the region where the metro is located. Foreigners and stateless persons are not allowed to enter the profession for security reasons. Age restrictions: from 21 to 45 years (in some cities the upper limit is reduced to 40).

Education must be at least secondary vocational (college, technical school), but priority is given to graduates of specialized educational institutions, for example:

• 📚 Moscow College of Transport (specialty "Operation of rolling stock")
• 📚 St. Petersburg College of Railway Transport
• 📚 Regional technical schools of railways (available in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod)

Without technical education, the chances are minimal, but an option with internal training is possible (we’ll talk about it below). A prerequisite is the absence of a criminal record (even expunged) and administrative offenses related to alcohol, drugs or traffic violation.

⚠️ Attention: If your work record contains a record of dismissal for absenteeism or disciplinary sanctions at previous jobs, the metro may refuse you without explanation. The employer checks the candidate's reputation through security services.

Medical commissions: why 70% of applicants are eliminated

Walkthrough military medical commission (MMC) - one of the most difficult stages. Medical requirements for metro drivers are stricter than for civil aviation pilots. Main criteria:

• 👁️Visual acuity is not lower 0.8 on the best eye and 0.4 at the worst (without correction). Glasses are allowed, but not contact lenses.
• 🩺 No chronic diseases of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system. Even vegetative-vascular dystonia may cause failure.
• 🦵 Orthopedic restrictions: flat feet above degree 2, curvature of the spine or a difference in leg length of more than 2 cm - disqualification.
• 🧠 Mental stability: tests for stress resistance, absence of neuroses, depression or panic attacks in history.

Particular attention is paid vestibular apparatus. Candidates are tested in a centrifuge and in a pressure chamber, simulating conditions of sudden braking and pressure changes. Those who suffer from motion sickness in transport are automatically eliminated.

Also required:

• 🩸 Tests for drugs, alcohol and HIV (even one positive test for marijuana 2 years ago is a refusal).
• 🦷 Sanitary book with vaccination marks (hepatitis B, tetanus, COVID-19 in some regions).
• 📊 EEG and MRI of the brain (exclude epilepsy and other neurological abnormalities).

⚠️ Attention: If you are taking antidepressants, tranquilizers, or even certain vitamin supplements (such as those high in magnesium), this may be considered a sign of mental instability. 2 weeks before the examination, stop all medications except those that are essential.

Training and internship: how long does it take to prepare?

Even with a specialized education, a beginner will not be allowed to operate a train right away. First you have to go through 3 stages of preparation:

1. Theoretical courses (3–6 months). Study the structure of rolling stock (for example, models 81-717/714, 81-760/761 "Oka"), traffic rules, alarms, actions in emergency situations. Classes are held in metro training centers with a break from production.
2. Practice on simulators (2 months). These are simulators of the driver’s cabin with real control panels, where routes, braking and emergency scenarios are practiced (for example, brake failure or the appearance of a man on the tracks).
3. Internship with a mentor (6–12 months). A novice rides in the cab with an experienced driver, but does not control the train. Only after passing the exams and being admitted, the commissions allow independent flights.

Important: a scholarship is paid during training (in Moscow - about 30–40 thousand rubles), but it does not cover all expenses. For example, in St. Petersburg, candidates often rent out housing and move closer to the depot, since the class schedule can be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Passport + copies|Diploma of education (original)|Medical record with marks|Reference from previous place of work (if any)|Certificate of no criminal record-->

One more nuance: if you do not pass the exam the first time, you can try again only after 3 months. During this time, enrollment may be closed, and you will have to wait until next year.

Working conditions: schedule, workload and risks of the profession

The working day of a metro driver begins 1–2 hours before the first trip. On average a shift lasts 7–8 hours, but due to train preparation and post-shift inspections, the actual time at work reaches 10–12 hours. Schedule - daily shift (day/night/weekend), with night shifts paid 20–30% higher.

Typical daily routine:

• ⏰ 5:30 — report to the depot, medical examination (checking blood pressure, pulse, breathalyzer).
• 🚇 6:00–7:00 — acceptance of the train, checking the brake system, communications, lighting.
• 🔄 7:00–15:00 — work on the line (on average 12–15 flights back and forth).
• 📋 15:00–16:00 — handing over the train, filling out logs, reporting faults.

The physical load is less than that of truck drivers, but there are other difficulties:

• 🔊 Constant noise (level up to 85 dB), vibration, temperature changes in tunnels.
• 👀 Eye strain: it is necessary to monitor traffic lights, sensors, and passengers on the platform.
• 🧠 Psychological pressure: responsibility for people’s lives, the risk of terrorist threats, conflicts with passengers.

Parameter	Moscow	St. Petersburg	Yekaterinburg	Novosibirsk
Average salary (gross), rub.	120 000–180 000	90 000–140 000	80 000–110 000	75 000–100 000
Number of days off per month	8–10	7–9	6–8	6–8
Duration of internship, months.	12	10	8	6
Benefits	Free travel, voluntary health insurance, corporate housing	Travel, resort, meals	Travel, housing subsidies	Travel, housing and communal services compensation

Salary and social package: what the metro offers in 2026

The driver's salary consists of several parts:

• 💰 Base rate — fixed amount (in Moscow ~50,000 rub., in St. Petersburg ~40,000 rub.).
• 📈 Allowances:
  • for night shifts (+30–50%)
  • for experience (from 10% after 3 years of work)
  • for class (1st class drivers receive +20%)
• 🎁 Awards - up to 3 salaries for trouble-free work, but they can be deprived for the slightest violation.

Real income depends on the region and load. For example, in Moscow metro a driver with 5 years of experience earns 150–180 thousand rubles./month, and in Kazan — 70–90 thousand rubles.. At the same time, expenses are higher in the capitals: many spend up to 30% of their salary on renting housing at the depot.

Social package includes:

• 🚆 Free travel on all types of public transport (including commuter trains).
• 🏥 VHI with dental coverage and sanatorium treatment (1 time every 2 years).
• 🏠 Mortgage programs at 3–5% per annum (in Moscow - together with Dom.RF Bank).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Benefits for kindergartens and summer camps for employees’ children.

⚠️ Attention: In some cities (for example, Nizhny Novgorod), salaries are lower than the market average, but are compensated by free housing in metro dormitories. Check the conditions before hiring - sometimes the “social package” on paper turns out to be unavailable due to queues.

Career growth: from trainee to depot manager

The promotion system in the metro is strictly regulated. Typical career ladder:

1. Trainee driver (6–12 months) - observation only, no train control.
2. Driver 3rd class (1–3 years of experience) - independent flights on lightly loaded lines.
3. Driver 2nd class (3–5 years) - work on main routes, training newcomers.
4. Driver 1st class (from 5 years) - the right to manage new trains (for example, "Moscow-2020"), participation in safety commissions.
5. Instructor — personnel training, knowledge testing.
6. Shift/depot manager — administrative work, control of schedules, interaction with dispatchers.

To move to each new level you need to pass exams and undergo certification. For example, to become a 1st class driver, you need:

• 📖 Know by heart Instructions for train movement and shunting work (200+ pages).
• 🎯 Take tests on a simulator simulating 10 emergency situations (for example, fire in the tunnel or automation failure).
• 🗣️ Conduct instruction for a group of interns (the ability to explain and hold an audience is assessed).

The salary of the head of the depot in Moscow reaches 250–300 thousand rubles., but such positions rarely go to “pure” machinists - usually additional education in management or jurisprudence is required.

What is the "gold reserve" of machinists?

In the metro there is an unspoken list of employees who are never fired, even during layoffs. Drivers with 20+ years of experience, accident response participants, or those who saved passengers in extreme situations go there. They are transferred to light work (for example, instructors) with the same salary.

Pros and cons of the profession: is it worth connecting your life with the metro?

Working as a driver is not for everyone, and this becomes clear already at the internship stage. Let's consider objective pros and cons:

Benefits:

• 💼 Stability: the metro is a monopolist, dismissals are only based on the article or at your own request.
• 💰 Salary above average by region, especially taking into account allowances.
• 🛡️ Social guarantees: benefits, service pension (25 years for men, 20 for women).
• 👔 Prestige: the profession is respected, especially in railway circles.

Disadvantages:

• ⏳ Long-term training without a guarantee of employment (the competition continues even after the courses).
• 😷 Harmful working conditions: noise, vibration, risk of occupational diseases (hearing loss, radiculitis).
• 🕒 Irregular schedule: weekends can fall on weekdays, holidays can fall on working days.
• 🚨 High level of responsibility: A mistake can cost lives, and the investigation into the incident takes months.

If you are an introvert, don’t like communicating with people and are ready for monotonous work, this profession will suit you. But those who dream of creativity or a flexible schedule should consider other options.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about working as a metro driver

Is it possible to get a job as a machinist without technical education?

Theoretically yes, but in practice the chances are minimal. In some cities (for example, Yekaterinburg), the metro conducts internal courses for candidates with secondary education, but priority is always given to graduates of specialized technical schools. Without knowledge of the basics of electrical and mechanical engineering, learning will be extremely difficult.

What are the most common reasons for refusals at a medical examination?

According to Moscow metro statistics, 70% of candidates are eliminated due to:

1. Problems with vision (even a slight deviation from the norm).
2. Chronic heart or vascular diseases (hypertension, arrhythmia).
3. Neurological diagnoses (epilepsy, neuroses, consequences of head injury).
4. Vestibular disorders (sickness, dizziness).

How many drivers work on one train?

In most cities there is one. The exception is new train models (for example, "Moscow-2026"), where two people can be in the cab: a driver and an assistant (at the running-in stage). At night or on reserve trains, shift teams sometimes work.

What to do if the driver gets sick before his shift?

You must immediately notify the depot dispatcher and provide a sick leave certificate. Unauthorized absence is punishable by a severe reprimand, and repeated violation is punishable by dismissal. Important: even with ARVI, the driver does not have the right to go on shift, since medications (for example, paracetamol or suprastin) may influence the reaction.

Is it possible to transfer from one metro to another?

Yes, but the process takes 3–6 months. You need to write a report addressed to the head of your depot and coordinate the transfer with the receiving party. Usually, only drivers with at least 3 years of experience and without disciplinary sanctions are transferred. This may require you to retake exams based on local regulations.