Driver Earning Potential

[ST]

Dear all,

A friend of mine worked a train guard said he met drivers working for firms such as Northern earning over 60K and those on longer routes going down to London earning in excess of £75K.

My questions are whether these earnings are realistic with overtime and if so how much overtime you would need to do to earn this and if this is pie in the sky, what is more realistic so I can kick his butt next time we are in the pub!

I have been thinking about a career change into becoming a trainee driver and wanted to clear this up as soon as possible!

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Vicpaul]

Very realistic from what I've seen. Couldnt tell you the sort of work you would put in to achieve it

 

[Latecomer]

With some of the better paid TOC's it only takes a two or three days of overtime a month to reach £60k. The amount that some people put in I could quite easily imagine 70k or so. Personally I don't do any!

I would not go into the job just because you can envisage that sort of salary though.

 

[ST]

With some of the better paid TOC's it only takes a two or three days of overtime a month to reach £60k. The amount that some people put in I could quite easily imagine 70k or so. Personally I don't do any!

I would not go into the job just because you can envisage that sort of salary though.

Thanks for the responses, to be totally honest the basic salary is good enough - I couldn't believe drivers were able to earn so much!

 

[A-driver]

Thanks for the responses, to be totally honest the basic salary is good enough - I couldn't believe drivers were able to earn so much!

75k is a bit of a push, you wouldn't see much of your wife & kids on that (so another good reason to put the hours in!) as 75k would be a case of every Sunday and every rest day being worked. 60k is more reasonable if you are willing to give up a fair few days off.

 

[ultra4]

75k is a bit of a push, you wouldn't see much of your wife & kids on that (so another good reason to put the hours in!) as 75k would be a case of every Sunday and every rest day being worked. 60k is more reasonable if you are willing to give up a fair few days off.

75k The taxman must be loving train drivers.

 

[Silv1983]

I think the £60-£75k club is a bit of an urban legend to be honest (assuming the values above are after tax). I know some freight drivers get large 'Happy' Cheques at the end of the year due to the amount of hours they clock up between July and december having exhausted all their contracted hours; but as for day to day toc drivers - I think the most hardcore overtimers would start to ceiling off towards £50k. Funny no ones ever said they've made that much: it's always "I've heard of a guy...." or "Bob on the barriers reckons....."

 

[bystander]

I think the £60-£75k club is a bit of an urban legend to be honest (assuming the values above are after tax). I know some freight drivers get large 'Happy' Cheques at the end of the year due to the amount of hours they clock up between July and december having exhausted all their contracted hours; but as for day to day toc drivers - I think the most hardcore overtimers would start to ceiling off towards £50k. Funny no ones ever said they've made that much: it's always "I've heard of a guy...." or "Bob on the barriers reckons....."

1) I know numerous passenger drivers personally at several depots & TOCs who earn this much (indeed towards the upper end of the bracket), both suburban and intercity.

2) Why would the numbers be after tax? They are gross figures. No salary that I have ever heard of has been stated as being after tax.

 

[A-driver]

I think the £60-£75k club is a bit of an urban legend to be honest (assuming the values above are after tax). I know some freight drivers get large 'Happy' Cheques at the end of the year due to the amount of hours they clock up between July and december having exhausted all their contracted hours; but as for day to day toc drivers - I think the most hardcore overtimers would start to ceiling off towards £50k. Funny no ones ever said they've made that much: it's always "I've heard of a guy...." or "Bob on the barriers reckons....."

Those figures are certainly before tax. I don't know any drivers who could get anywhere near 60k after tax...

 

[Silv1983]

1) I know numerous passenger drivers personally at several depots & TOCs who earn this much (indeed towards the upper end of the bracket), both suburban and intercity.

2) Why would the numbers be after tax? They are gross figures. No salary that I have ever heard of has been stated as being after tax.

Just as well the word 'earnings' is being used in this discussion... :roll:

 

[bystander]

Just as well the word 'earnings' is being used in this discussion... :roll:

Sorry, can you clarify what your point is and how it adds to the discussion?

Maybe "salary" is not quite the correct word to use and "wages" or "earnings" would be more appropriate but we are talking about periodic payment by an employer to an employee in return for work performed, and I have NEVER heard of that referred to in net terms.

I surrender.

 

[455driver]

I think the £60-£75k club is a bit of an urban legend to be honest (assuming the values above are after tax). I know some freight drivers get large 'Happy' Cheques at the end of the year due to the amount of hours they clock up between July and december having exhausted all their contracted hours; but as for day to day toc drivers - I think the most hardcore overtimers would start to ceiling off towards £50k. Funny no ones ever said they've made that much: it's always "I've heard of a guy...." or "Bob on the barriers reckons....."

Why would they be after tax?

XC drivers are on £55K a year basic, this is before tax.

Who do you talk to that states how much they earn after tax?
I dont talk to anyone that uses the after tax figure, everyone talks about the amount they earn at the top of the note, not the bottom.

can you explain why you felt the need to bring this into this thread?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I surrender.

Just ignore him, we will carry on having a sensible discussion and wont be sidetracked.

 

[Silv1983]

Because when we're discussing earnings with figures like £75k - this has to be inclusive of overtime etc. So when 'not' discussion a basic salary why would anyone be interested in pre-tax earnings of anyone? Surely what one brings home after deductions is what interests people? Maybe not then.... i'll sit this one out as I am more interested in what my payslip says at the bottom than the top.

It was payday last friday at my TOC - and a few of the drivers were discussion each other's pay. Not once did anyone show any interest to gross pay. What matters is how much is left to put food on the table and pay the bills, surely?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Why would they be after tax?

XC drivers are on £55K a year basic, this is before tax.

Who do you talk to that states how much they earn after tax?
I dont talk to anyone that uses the after tax figure, everyone talks about the amount they earn at the top of the note, not the bottom.

can you explain why you felt the need to bring this into this thread?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Just ignore him, we will carry on having a sensible discussion and wont be sidetracked.

Why are you so upset? I expected a calmer approach from you 455...

 

[455driver]

Its the way you always take a simple question and try and turn it around into something else!

the OP asked a simple question, the answer is quite simple but you had to try and change it, that is why I get upset!

You might notice that I dont post as much as I used to, that is because I am fed up with people (not aimed at anyone in particular ) doing this.

 

[Silv1983]

Its the way you always take a simple question and try and turn it around into something else!

the OP asked a simple question, the answer is quite simple but you had to try and change it, that is why I get upset!

You might notice that I dont post as much as I used to, that is because I am fed up with people (not aimed at anyone in particular ) doing this.

Is there a simple answer? I really don't think "I've heard some drivers earn 60-75k - is this true?" Can have a simple answer - i.e. yes or no.
If discussion, debate and differing opinions bother you so much I think you'd better delete your account for the sake of your blood pressure

To the OP:

If you meant can a driver earn 60-75k as a pre-tax salary: then Yes, probably.

If you meant (as I did so impertinently like spawn of satan - judging from my rebukes) 60 - 75k take home pay per annum: very difficult.

Hope this unruffles a few feathers...

 

[455driver]

Some TOC drivers will clear £65K very easily with just working the odd Sunday, to take home £65k they would need to basically live at work.

 

[ultra4]

Is that true that LM drivers earn £400 for working Sunday on their rest day?

 

[ST]

75k is a bit of a push, you wouldn't see much of your wife & kids on that (so another good reason to put the hours in!) as 75k would be a case of every Sunday and every rest day being worked. 60k is more reasonable if you are willing to give up a fair few days off.

Thanks A - driver, tempting to put all the hours in under the sun if I am successful!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Some TOC drivers will clear £65K very easily with just working the odd Sunday, to take home £65k they would need to basically live at work.

Many thanks
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Is there a simple answer? I really don't think "I've heard some drivers earn 60-75k - is this true?" Can have a simple answer - i.e. yes or no.
If discussion, debate and differing opinions bother you so much I think you'd better delete your account for the sake of your blood pressure

To the OP:

If you meant can a driver earn 60-75k as a pre-tax salary: then Yes, probably.

If you meant (as I did so impertinently like spawn of satan - judging from my rebukes) 60 - 75k take home pay per annum: very difficult.

Hope this unruffles a few feathers...

Silv 1983, I was referring to Gross Earnings, as when you apply for a job it is always advertised as the Gross amount and not net of tax, this was also the same reference to O/T. Net Earnings of 65K would mean a Gross Salary of around 100K - which I know would be unachievable (unless someone tells me any different!) Thanks for your feedback though.

 

[the sniper]

Is that true that LM drivers earn £400 for working Sunday on their rest day?

All Sundays are rest days for LM drivers, as their Sundays are uncommitted/outside the working week.

If their Sunday pay is worked out the same as the Guards,, which I think it is, with their new pay deal I believe they'd be on more than £400 for a Sunday.

EDIT: As for the original question, there's a driver instructor at our place, who has effectively lived in our depot, who said he'd done over £100k (pre-tax...) the other year. I can believe it. £60k is easily achievable.

 

[ultra4]

All Sundays are rest days for LM drivers, as their Sundays are uncommitted/outside the working week.

If their Sunday pay is worked out the same as the Guards, with their new pay deal I believe they'd be on more then £400 for a Sunday.

Therefore, it is possible to cope just by working each Sunday LOL

 

[GadgetMan]

Thanks A - driver, tempting to put all the hours in under the sun if I am successful!

Just be careful, you're far more likely to F*** up when tired. It's very easy to overdo it chasing the money.

 

[A-driver]

Just be careful, you're far more likely to F*** up when tired. It's very easy to overdo it chasing the money.

Indeed. Plus it becomes an unbearable job when you work every Sunday and rest day. I fell into that trap when I got my key and was making loads of money but absolutely hated the job and woke up most dats dreading going to work simply because I didn't every have time off. It was part of the reason I moved TOCs and work very few rest days at my new company and now find it a really good job and find myself looking forward to going back to work after rest days.

 

[ST]

Indeed. Plus it becomes an unbearable job when you work every Sunday and rest day. I fell into that trap when I got my key and was making loads of money but absolutely hated the job and woke up most dats dreading going to work simply because I didn't every have time off. It was part of the reason I moved TOCs and work very few rest days at my new company and now find it a really good job and find myself looking forward to going back to work after rest days.

My wife would drop me like a sack of spuds if I made a habit of Sunday working if not rostered, it is our family time, having lost family recently, makes you realise how important it is to be around. Thanks for your responses.

 

[SkinnyDave]

At my TOC if you just do your booked Sundays you should be hitting £50k a year!
More if you want it but overtime comes and goes but the time off in this role is bigger attraction to me..

 

[A-driver]

One thing also worth pointing out which I can't see any mention of here yet is not to fall into the trap of relying on overtime. I know too many drivers who struggle to pay their mortgage or car if they have 'only' managed to work 1 Sunday and 2 rest days or whatever but this is very dangerous and incredibly easy to fall into.

Working a few rest days to pay for a holiday, to re-fit the kitchen or feeding a savings account is one thing but when people regularly work overtime they easily end up upping their lifestyle and instead of living off the 2k take home pay every 4 weeks they lead a lifestyle relying on taking home 3.5k a month. So when for whatever reason they can't work all that overtime they struggle to pay £1500 worth of bills.

Sorry to state the obvious but to some RDW can be very dangerous!

 

[LBSCR Times]

Sorry to state the obvious but to some RDW can be very dangerous!

Yes, I used to work just about every RD going....
Now I just work my booked Sundays (but wish they were part of the booked working week, so I could have more time off!).
Rest Day worked, I can't remember the last time I did one......

 

[W230]

My wife would drop me like a sack of spuds if I made a habit of Sunday working if not rostered, it is our family time, having lost family recently, makes you realise how important it is to be around. Thanks for your responses.

The word on the street was that there was at least one driver at my TOC who more than cleared 75k though I'm not sure I'm convinced. He does, however, work every single rest day/Sunday within the regulations.

Indeed. Plus it becomes an unbearable job when you work every Sunday and rest day. I fell into that trap when I got my key and was making loads of money but absolutely hated the job and woke up most dats dreading going to work simply because I didn't every have time off. It was part of the reason I moved TOCs and work very few rest days at my new company and now find it a really good job and find myself looking forward to going back to work after rest days.

I can definitely see the logic in that. Personally I don't do rest days or Sundays at present. I've recently qualified and I feel that the more time off I get between shifts the better. I appreciate some people can't get by on 45k a year (I don't want to start an argument on this one!) but I can and hope that doing overtime doesn't become a necessity.

 

[Pacerpilot]

I work for a FOC on an annualised hours contract. I very rarely work rest days ( and if I do I usually take my day off elsewhere in the week) and only work my booked sundays. My contract equates to a 35hr week, but as Im frequently rostered 50-60 hours, Im looking at 65-70k without trying. I know guys who literally live in work and will put in 1000+hrs over contract....which is circa 35k in overtime alone. All paid in one lump.

 

[JAMBO]

Is someone going to give the names of these TOCS/FOCS where superstar money is made??

 

[GB]

Is someone going to give the names of these TOCS/FOCS where superstar money is made??

Wouldn't call it superstar money but on the basic contract at GBRF, if you were to do 700 hours overtime (easily possible depending on attitude and location) then you will get to the £70k mark. Tax man will love you though.