If you have ever wondered how much do London tram drivers earn in 2025, you are not alone. This year, salaries range from £24,000 for new starters up to £43,000 for experienced drivers, with various benefits on top. Read on for the full breakdown.
Tram drivers in London are earning between £24,000 and £43,000 a year in 2025, according to the most recent salary information. The pay depends on a driver’s experience, how long they’ve been in the job, and whether they pick up overtime or extra shifts.
The figure for new starters is around £24,000, rising to about £43,000 with several years of experience. The median pay for tram drivers lands in the low to mid-£30,000s, making it a steady option for those keen to get into London’s public transport sector.
Wages for tram drivers have seen a recent boost. In late 2024, drivers accepted a 4.5 percent pay rise backdated to November. That is on top of future raises tied to inflation, so their salaries will increase again as living costs continue to rise. Drivers say the increase is welcome, but many admit that the rising cost of bills and everyday essentials means money is still tight for many families.
On a typical day, most tram drivers earn between £16 and £21 per hour, depending on seniority, shift premiums, and overtime. These figures are slightly higher than what most London bus drivers are paid, with bus driver rates generally between £15 and £20 per hour.
London Trams is operated by Tram Operations Limited TOL, which is part of FirstGroup. Although Transport for London TfL owns and oversees the tram network, the day to day running and employment of tram drivers is carried out by TOL under contract from TfL. Tram Operations Limited has been responsible for operating and maintaining London Trams since the service began.
Tram Operations Limited is a FirstGroup subsidiary that operates the London Trams contract for Transport for London. With over 20 million passenger journeys a year, London Trams serves some of the busiest routes in the country, operating more than 4,800 services each week across the tramway.
For more details on recent improvements to the network, see our article London Trams to Receive Wheel and Brake Overhaul.
London Trams provides interurban cross borough services in southwest London, connecting Wimbledon, New Addington, Beckenham Junction, and Elmers End to the heart of Croydon. The network offers excellent connectivity with key National Rail stations in the region, including East Croydon, Wimbledon, Elmers End, and Beckenham Junction.
In addition to carrying commuters and business travellers, the trams also see high numbers of leisure passengers heading to tourist and heritage sites, as well as many major sporting and social events along the route each year. London Trams is recognised for providing easy and convenient mobility, with all tram stops offering step free access. This accessibility helps improve quality of life by connecting communities across the area, and remains a point of pride for everyone involved in operating the network.
Benefits and perks how much do London tram drivers earn in 2025 beyond salary
When it comes to total compensation, how much do London tram drivers earn in 2025 is about more than just basic pay; valuable benefits and free travel often make a major difference.
Working for London Trams comes with a range of benefits beyond the basic salary. Tram drivers receive a free Oyster card for both themselves and a partner or family member living at the same address. This card offers unlimited travel across all TfL services, including Buses, the Underground, Overground, DLR, and more throughout London.
There are additional travel perks as well. Drivers get a 75 percent discount on National Rail services operated by FirstGroup, and a free FirstGroup bus pass which allows travel on all First buses outside of London.
On top of travel benefits, there are financial incentives through FirstGroup’s Save As You Earn SAYE and Buy As You Earn BAYE share schemes. These give employees a way to purchase shares in the company and benefit from its success.
These benefits are a key part of what makes the tram driver role attractive, especially considering the cost of living in London and the importance of affordable travel.
The role of unions has been significant in recent wage changes for tram drivers. Strike threats and strong union negotiations have led to major increases for transport workers across London. While Tube drivers are set to see their pay hit £80,000 by 2027, tram drivers say their own victories are more modest but still important for ensuring fair treatment and pay.
The job itself is not without its challenges. Tram drivers report moderate to high stress, particularly when dealing with traffic, unpredictable weather, and sometimes difficult passengers. Official reports suggest the job is low stress, but nearly half of the tram drivers we heard from say otherwise.
Extra shifts play a big part in making the job worthwhile. Premium rates are offered for working weekends, nights, or public holidays. Drivers who take on these shifts can push their annual earnings to the higher end of the pay scale. One driver told us, it is good money if you are prepared to put in the hours, but it means missing out on family time over Christmas or New Year.
Recruitment how much do London tram drivers earn in 2025 when joining the industry
One of the most common questions from applicants is how much do London tram drivers earn in 2025 when starting out, and how quickly can salaries grow with experience.
FirstGroup handles all recruitment for tram drivers in Croydon, offering competitive starting pay and structured training for successful applicants.
Getting a job as a tram driver is highly competitive. Recruitment is handled entirely by FirstGroup through its Tram Operations Limited TOL subsidiary, not by Transport for London. Anyone interested in working as a London tram driver must apply directly to FirstGroup, which manages its own recruitment process and interviews. Training for successful candidates takes several months and includes both classroom learning and practical driving instruction. Only those who pass rigorous exams go on to operate trams on the network. Current vacancies and application details can be found on the FirstGroup careers website.
Image © First Group
But even as pay rises, many drivers say it is still a struggle to cover the cost of living in London. With rent, bills, and even the price of a weekly shop creeping up, take home pay just does not stretch as far as it used to. £35,000 does not last long these days, especially with a family, one Brentford tram driver shared.
As we approach the end of the year, attention will turn to new pay talks. Tram drivers are already hoping for further improvements, particularly as Tube driver pay continues to dominate headlines. We are hopeful, but it always feels like we have to fight, one drivers’ representative said.
The conversation about pay and working conditions for London’s tram drivers is ongoing. As more transport staff raise their voices and the cost of living keeps rising, their fight for fair pay is unlikely to quieten down. If you want to know exactly how much do London tram drivers earn in 2025 and what the job is really like, keep following our coverage for the latest updates on pay, benefits, and employment news in Croydon and South London.
Frequently Asked Question
Q: How much do London tram drivers earn in 2025?
A: In 2025, London tram drivers earn between £24,000 and £43,000 per year, depending on experience, seniority, and additional overtime or shifts worked. Benefits and travel perks further boost the overall compensation.
Are you a London tram driver or do you work on the network serving Croydon and South London? Share your story with us at [email protected]
