News Summary
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has witnessed a significant surge in payroll costs in 2024, reaching $879 million, a 23% increase from the previous year. With nearly 70 employees exceeding $250,000 in earnings, the agency’s growing workforce now stands at 10,124 employees. Overtime expenses have skyrocketed, totaling $126.38 million, raising concerns about funding and staffing decisions. This trend signifies the ongoing challenges MBTA faces as it strives to modernize its services while addressing staffing shortages.
Boston’s MBTA Payroll Takes a Major Leap in 2024
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is making headlines in 2024, and not just for its service disruptions! This year has seen a dramatic surge in payroll, with nearly 70 employees surpassing the $250,000 mark in earnings—an increase from just 32 employees the previous year. This skyrocketing figure raises eyebrows and prompts a deeper look into the funding and staffing decisions being made at the agency.
A Growing Payroll and Workforce
In 2024, the MBTA’s total payroll *soared* to a remarkable $879 million, reflecting a staggering 23% increase from the $715 million spent in 2023. This hefty payroll accounted for around 8.5% of the total $10.26 billion spent on wages by the state last year. Furthermore, the MBTA’s workforce expanded to 10,124 employees, climbing from 9,698 in 2023 and showing a consistent growth trend from 8,785 in 2022 and 7,320 in 2021.
Who’s Raking in the Cash?
Leading the pack is the MBTA General Manager, who topped the list of earners with a whopping $546,000. This figure includes a substantial base salary of $472,000 along with an additional $74,650 categorized as “other pay.” Not far behind is Lt. Manes Cadet from the MBTA Transit Police, who earned $467,634, bolstered by an impressive $274,869 in overtime pay.
Other notable earners include Sgt. Joseph Sacco, who grossed $398,629—more than $257,000 of which was accrued through overtime. Furthermore, Lt. Mark Gillespie rounded up the top earners with $382,094, which comprised his own share of overtime and a buyout totaling $36,374. Even the Transit Police Chief, Kenneth Green, was among the higher earners, raking in approximately $304,500.
Overtime Costs Reach Record Numbers
Attention has also been drawn to the MBTA’s staggering overtime costs, which hit a record high of $126.38 million in 2024. It’s been reported that over 6,000 out of the nearly 8,400 T employees claimed for overtime by early November 2024. This year alone has also seen a total of 73 full-time MBTA employees earning over $100,000 solely from overtime, significantly contributing to the rising payroll costs.
The *top* overtime earner was Transit Police Lieutenant Manes Cadet, with a jaw-dropping $236,472 in overtime. By early November 2024, the total amount paid in overtime had already surpassed $112 million, solidifying 2024 as a remarkable year for employer expenses.
What’s Driving These Changes?
The escalation of overtime costs can be attributed to a surge in maintenance work aimed at modernizing the subway system and eliminating existing speed restrictions. While the MBTA has historically faced scrutiny over its overtime claims and timekeeping practices, the current wave of overtime claims seems to be a direct reaction to staffing shortages within the agency. In response to these shortages, the MBTA has upped its signing bonuses to attract new talent, increasing from $4,500 to $7,500.
As of November 2024, the MBTA boasts 7,295 active employees, a significant jump from around 5,750 reported in March 2023. This growth in workforce may be seen as a silver lining in light of the agency’s struggles with operational demands and staffing issues.
As the MBTA continues to navigate through these challenges, the increased payroll and overtime expenses highlight the dynamic nature of the transport authority’s operations and the ongoing commitment to improving services for commuters across Massachusetts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- MassLive: MBTA Salary Database
- Boston 25 News: Payroll Database
- Boston Globe: MBTA Payroll and Overtime Spending
- Boston Herald: State Employee Payroll
- WCVB: Massachusetts Payroll 2024
- Wikipedia: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
- Google Search: MBTA Payroll 2024
- Google Scholar: MBTA Payroll
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
- Google News: MBTA Payroll
