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Metro Rail Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Metro Rail Operator information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$22

$35

How much do metro rail operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for metro rail operator in Virginia is $22.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.76 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a metro rail operator?

Metro Rail Operators are professionals responsible for operating trains on urban rail transit systems, such as subways or light rail. Their main duties include driving the train safely, following schedules, monitoring equipment, and ensuring passenger safety. They also communicate with control centers, respond to emergencies, and provide customer service when needed. Metro Rail Operators play a vital role in keeping public transportation systems running smoothly and efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a metro rail operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Metro Rail Operator, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, strong attention to detail, and knowledge of transit safety regulations. Familiarity with train control systems, signaling equipment, and radio communication devices is typically required, and some positions may prefer certifications in rail operations or safety. Excellent situational awareness, decision-making skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring passenger safety, adhering to schedules, and responding effectively to emergencies or operational challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by metro rail operators and how are they typically addressed?

Metro Rail Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to schedules, managing unexpected service disruptions, and ensuring passenger safety during peak hours. Operators are trained to handle these situations through rigorous protocols and continuous communication with control centers and station staff. Collaboration with maintenance teams and clear public announcements help address technical issues and keep passengers informed. Supportive team environments and regular training sessions further enable operators to effectively manage these challenges.

What is the difference between Metro Rail Operator vs Bus Driver?

AspectMetro Rail OperatorBus Driver
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications may be requiredHigh school diploma or equivalent; commercial driver's license (CDL) often required
Work EnvironmentOperate trains in rail stations and tunnels, often in urban transit systemsDrive buses on designated routes, often in city streets and highways
Employer & IndustryPublic transit agencies, rail companiesPublic transit agencies, private bus companies

While both roles involve operating vehicles for public transportation, Metro Rail Operators focus on train systems within urban transit networks, requiring specific certifications and working in rail environments. Bus Drivers operate on roadways, often with different licensing requirements. Both are essential for urban mobility but differ in vehicle type and work setting.

How to become a metro rail operator?

To become a metro rail operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid driver's license, and completion of a training program provided by the transit agency. Applicants must pass written and practical exams, background checks, and medical assessments, and often need to obtain a state or agency-specific certification or license. Prior experience with vehicle operation and good communication skills are also beneficial.

What are popular job titles related to Metro Rail Operator jobs in Virginia?

For Metro Rail Operator jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Metro Rail Operator jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Metro Rail Operator jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Metro Rail Operator jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Metro Rail Operator job openings:

Infographic showing various Metro Rail Operator job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 45% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,509 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Senior HVAC Technician - Northern Virginia

Arlington, VA • On-site

$40 - $47/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Cortland rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

At Cortland, we operate with a forward-thinking approach that challenges conventional norms and actively seeks insights beyond traditional industry boundaries. As a recognized leader in the multifamily sector, our focus on performance, innovation, and disciplined execution continues to drive strong growth and market leadership. We are committed to building a best-in-class organization by empowering top talent with the resources, autonomy, and support needed to deliver results and advance their careers in a high-performance environment.
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Senior HVAC Technician to join our team. This role requires strong technical expertise, leadership capability, and the ability to independently troubleshoot, repair, and maintain a wide range of HVAC systems. The ideal candidate will be comfortable traveling throughout Virginia Metro to support service calls and must have reliable transportation.
  • Diagnose, repair, and resolve maintenance issues across building systems and components-including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliances, flooring, stairs, railings-and install new equipment as needed.
  • Correct unsafe conditions such as broken lights, damaged gates, open holes, or other hazards, ensuring issues are addressed quickly and safely.
  • Support asset preservation by monitoring and reporting on the condition of building and security systems such as automatic doors and surveillance cameras.
  • Schedule and perform preventative maintenance on HVAC units, equipment, and building systems to improve performance and reduce downtime.
  • Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies and spare parts to ensure timely completion of work orders.
  • Travel regularly between assigned properties to support portfolio-wide maintenance needs.
  • Respond to on-call rotations and emergency maintenance situations, assisting with both resident and property needs.
  • Provide friendly, professional service when interacting with residents and team members.
  • Document completed work and report recurring issues or safety concerns to your supervisor.

Qualifications
  • EPA certification required (Type I, II, or Universal).
  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • 3+ years of experience in maintenance, facilities, or multi-family housing.
  • Valid driver's license and ability to travel between assigned properties; vehicle and insurance as required.
  • Strong technical skills in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, appliance repair, and general building systems.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and handle multiple work orders.
  • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to safely operate tools and maintenance equipment.
  • Good communication and customer-service skills.
  • Ability to perform physical work including lifting, climbing ladders, and working indoors/outdoors in various weather conditions.

Virginia Pay Range
$40-$47 USD
About Cortland
Founded in 2005, Cortland is an international, vertically integrated multifamily real estate investment, development, and management firm with a resident-centric approach to living experiences. Recognized as one of the top 10 multifamily owners and operators in the US, Cortland combines in-house design, construction, and operations to deliver value and innovation across its portfolio.
Join us as we reimagine apartment living and drive outsized returns through purpose, performance, and people.
Cortland is an equal opportunity employer, and we're proud to support and celebrate diversity in the workplace. We are committed to equal consideration for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance with the application process and/or using our website, please email Careers@cortland.com
Cortland is a drug-free workplace.
Cortland participates in e-verify to verify the employment status of all persons hired to work in the United States.
California Applicant Privacy Notice
We collect personal information from all job applicants, including identifiers (e.g., name, contact details), professional or employment information (e.g., résumé, work history, qualifications), and education information. This information is used for recruiting, evaluating your candidacy, conducting interviews, and managing the application process.
California residents may request access to or deletion of their personal information by contacting us at careers@cortland.com
GDPR Statement
When you apply to a job on this site, the personal data contained in your application will be collected by Cortland ("Controller"), which is located at 3424 Peachtree RD NE Suite 300 Atlanta, GA and can be contacted by emailing careers@cortland.com because Controller wishes to evaluate your candidacy for employment at Controller. Your personal data was either obtained from publicly available sources (e.g. LinkedIn) or provided to Controller by someone who referred you for potential employment. Controller's data protection officer is Greg Shultz, who can be contacted at Greg.Shultz@cortland.com. Your personal data will be processed for the purposes of managing Controller's recruitment related activities, which include setting up and conducting interviews and tests for applicants, evaluating and assessing the results thereto, and as is otherwise needed in the recruitment and hiring processes. Such processing is legally permissible under Art. 6(1)(f) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation) as necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Controller, which are the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of applicants for employment.
Your personal data has been shared with Greenhouse Software, Inc., a cloud services provider located in the United States of America and engaged by Controller to help manage its recruitment and hiring process on Controller's behalf. Accordingly, if you are located outside of the United States, your personal data has been transferred to the United States. Because the European Union Commission has determined that United States data privacy laws do not ensure an adequate level of protection for personal data collected from EU data subjects, the transfer was subject to appropriate additional safeguards under [either the standard contractual clauses or the Privacy Shield]. You can obtain a copy of the standard contractual clauses by contacting us at careers@cortland.com
Your personal data will be retained by Controller as long as Controller determines it is necessary to evaluate your application for employment. Under the GDPR, you have the right to request access to your personal data, to request that your personal data be rectified or erased, and to request that processing of your personal data be restricted. You also have to right to data portability. In addition, you may lodge a complaint with an EU supervisory authority.

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