Metro plans to pay out $45 million more to its employees next year, with average salaries jumping more than 3.25 percent to reach $73,991 per year. That would be the second year in a row that salaries have grown, rising by a combined average 9.6 percent over two years even as wages nationwide have grown by far less.

Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said about half the increase covers a 3 percent raise for union workers that the agency is fighting in court, but budgeting for in case the agency loses. Some union employees also receive an annual 1.4 percent step increase under an old collective bargaining agreement, she added.