Nearly 70 MBTA employees made more than $250,000 in 2024
The authority spent $879 million on total payroll last year, 23% more than the $715 million spent in 2023, according to payroll data.By Will Katcher | masslive.com (TNS)
BOSTON — Nearly 70 employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority made more than $250,000 in 2024, up from 32 in 2023, according to payroll data maintained by the state.
The MBTA spent $879 million on total payroll last year, 23% more than the $715 million spent in 2023, the data showed. Last year’s T payroll reflected about 8.5% of the total $10.26 billion the state spent on wages.
The T’s workforce has steadily grown in recent years. The agency paid 10,124 people in 2024, up from 9,698 in 2023, 8,785 in 2022 and 7,320 in 2021.
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View the 2024 MBTA Salary Database
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The top-ranking MBTA official was also the highest paid. MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng earned about $546,000, his base pay of $472,000 bolstered by $74,650 in “other pay,” according to the state records.
Behind Eng were three members of the MBTA Transit Police, all of whom earned hefty overtime pay last year.
Lt. Manes Cadet earned $467,634, of which $274,869 was overtime pay. Sgt. Joseph Sacco was paid $398,629, including $257,930 in overtime. Lt. Mark Gillespie made $382,094, including $153,369 in overtime and $36,374 listed as a buyout.
Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green earned about $304,500, making him the eighth highest-paid MBTA official.
The 10 highest earners by gross pay in 2024 were:
- General Manager Phillip Eng — $546,684
- Transit Police Lt. Manes Cadet — $467,635
- Transit Police Sgt. Joseph Sacco — $398,629
- Transit Police Lt. Mark Gillespie — $382,094
- Chief Safety Officer Patrick Lavin — $360,928
- Foreperson and Wireperson John Caruso — $316,686
- Chief of Capital Program Support Maureen McDonough — $306,579
- Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green — $304,507
- Foreperson and Wireperson Stephen Mitchell — $304,170
- Transit Police Officer Kelly Daniel — $300,941
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