RAIL fares have gone up again this year, and some commuters wonder where all the money goes.

Some might even consider swapping careers when they find out how much train drivers earn in the UK. Here's more on how to get on the right tracks.

What is a train driver's salary in the UK?

Salaries for train drivers are dependent on which company they work for and their experience.

The average base pay for a driver in the UK is £54,901 per year, according to Glassdoor.

The jobs site says the average is estimated from real salaries submitted anonymously by train drivers around the country.

The pay scale can range from around £20,000 while training to more than £65,000 for experienced drivers.

Drivers work an average of 35 to 40 hours a week, including evening and weekend shifts. Benefits include free or cut-price travel.

Eurostar pays the most – currently £71,489 a year, according to drivers' union Aslef.

Here are some of the salaries reported by drivers working for the main operators in the UK:

• Great Western Railway: £48k to £81k
• Southeastern Railway: £48k to £56k
• London Underground: £55k to £58k
• Arriva Group: £45k to £65k
• Govia Thameslink Railway: £53k to £64k
• London Overground: £55k to £62k
• South Western Railway: £51k to £65k
• Transport for London: £28k to £59k
• Crosscountry Trains: £29k to £66k
• ScotRail: £48k to £54k
• East Midlands Trains: £50k to £63k
• Northern Rail: £40k to £55k
• Abellio: £31k to £52k

How do you become a train driver?

To become a train driver you need to apply for a training programme with an operating company.

Normally you will need to be over 20 years old to work on the national rail network or over 18 for the Tube.

You will also need to live within one hour of the area you are applying to work in.

Alternatively you could start out by doing another job such as passenger assistant or conductor, and then apply for trainee driver posts when they become available.

What qualifications do you need to become a train driver?

There are no specific entry requirements but most operators expect a "good standard of education" – often a minimum of GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent.

To be accepted, you’ll need to pass a medical check which will include eyesight, colour vision and hearing, and also drug and alcohol tests.

Aptitude tests – measuring reaction times and concentration – and psychometric tests can also be part of the selection process to assess candidates' suitability.

Drivers are responsible for the safety of hundreds of people every day so they need to be sure new recruits can handle it.

You may also need clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Do you get paid while training to become a train driver?

Yes, drivers are employed while they are training and get paid the entry salary for that operator.

The training schemes normally last between nine and 18 months.

London Underground's training course lasts for 22 weeks.

LU trainees start on a salary of around £24,000, which almost doubles when they become fully qualified.

What age do train drivers retire?

There is no age limit for train drivers.

Drivers' union Aslef has said they should retire at the state pension age.

Some drivers on older contracts were able to retire any time after the age of 50.

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