Because we simply can’t get enough of salary talk, today the Post tells us that Metro’s presumptive new head honcho, John B. Catoe Jr., will be taking in $300,000 a year, not to mention a $60,000 living allowance, a company car, and all the free Metro rides he can take.

While it seems a little on the steep side for a public servant working for an agency notorious for its mismanagement of public funds, Catoe won’t be making much more than he has in Los Angeles, where he earned $287,000 as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s second-in-charge. And maybe $300,000 is the price to attract the needed talent to a relatively thankless job — after all, Metro’s 700,000 some-odd riders will always have something to grouse about. Former WMATA heads made less, though not by much — ousted director Richard White took in $285,000 and a $50,000 living allowance.

Catoe claims he’ll be looking to live in the District or in Virginia, and will likely take Metro to work. Take it from us, John — live in D.C. Not that there’s anything wrong with Virginia (well, spare that whole heterosexual love thing they have going on), but within the District’s city limits you’ll have access to more of the system’s lines, more of the system’s daily riders, and a chance to better understand what periodically drives us batty about Metro. And, of course, you’ll be officially disenfranchised, pay higher taxes, and constantly be needled for sharing cityspace with Marion Barry. But you’ll also gain so much more in hipster cred.

And now we cue the obvious discussion point — $300,000 in salary. Too much, or just right? Discuss amongst yourselves.