The number of Transport for London (TfL) employees earning a basic salary of more than £100,000 has surged by 15% in the last financial year, according to new figures published in TfL's latest remuneration report. The count climbed from 536 to 617 over the past year, a sharp increase from just 188 in 2016.
Pay Rises and Benefits
TfL and London Underground staff received a 3.4% pay rise for 2025-2026, with benefits including a free annual travel pass for a family member or friend. However, when bonuses and overtime are included, the number of staff earning more than £100,000 fell from 2,217 in 2024/25 to 2,048 in 2025/26. The report attributes the previous year's higher figure to backdated pay awards: "The figures for 2024/25 were impacted by the payment of back-dated pay awards causing an increase in the numbers last year."
Top Earners
Commissioner Andy Lord was the highest-paid employee, receiving £635,533 in total, including a base salary of £460,295 and bonuses of £172,222. This was approximately £3,631 lower than the previous year. Lord is paid around nine times the median TfL salary and is responsible for directing network operations, securing long-term funding, and implementing the Mayor's Transport Strategy. According to benchmarking, Lord and his chief officers are paid "significantly below the market level" compared to similar public and private sector organisations.
Helen Chapman, former Director of Licensing and Regulation, had the second-highest income at £430,098, including £302,593 as compensation for loss of employment. She left TfL earlier this year. Fiona Brunskill, Chief People Officer, received £418,556, comprising a base salary of £321,035 and £94,539 in benefits. Other top earners include Rachel McLean (Chief Financial Officer) at £390,163, Claire Mann (Chief Operating Officer) at £389,676, Alex Williams (Chief Customer and Strategy Officer) at £378,388, Andrea Clarke (General Counsel) at £359,555, Stuart Harvey (Chief Capital Officer) at £358,050, Patrick Doig (Chief Finance Officer) at £313,952, and Peter McNaught (Director of Operational Performance and Readiness) at £265,108.
Salary Context
These salaries far exceed the Prime Minister's annual pay of £174,039 and the median full-time London wage of £49,826. TfL employs around 28,000 people, with seven trade unions representing its workforce. The average Tube driver earns about £73,700, while junior station staff earn around £36,000 and senior station staff about £45,000.
Of the employees earning six-figure basic salaries, 225 are below senior management level, with 217 of those salaries set by London Underground. These are understood to be safety-critical roles rather than Tube drivers. Men accounted for 77% of those earning over £100,000, while women made up 23%.
TfL described performance-related pay as a "critical component" of its total remuneration package, helping to attract and retain talent. TfL and City Hall have been contacted for comment.
