Tube drivers in London earn high salaries mainly because of the critical role they play in the city's transport network, the demanding and sometimes dangerous nature of the job, strong union representation, and the high cost of living in London. Their starting salaries are around £71,000, which is higher than many professions like doctors and teachers, partly due to irregular and unsocial working hours, such as early mornings and late nights. The job also involves significant responsibility, including safety, emergency response, and coping with stress from incidents on the tracks. Additionally, union strength allows them to negotiate good pay and working conditions, with overtime and shift allowances further boosting earnings. The high pay reflects not only job complexity but also the need to retain drivers in an essential public service in an expensive city like London.