Traffic Technicians
Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Also called: Field Traffic Investigator · Traffic Analyst · Traffic Control Technician · Traffic Investigator · Traffic Signal Technician (TST) · Traffic Survey Technician
Median pay (national)
$58,480
$38,060–$85,810 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
7,580
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.7%
~800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for traffic technicians shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $85,810 versus $38,060 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $58,480 leaves roughly 47% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 35 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $80,570, +38% vs the national median), while Louisiana sits lowest at $36,060 — a 123% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
- Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
- Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
- Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
- Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices.
- Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public.
- Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bentley MicroStation
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Microsoft Windows
- Oracle Database
- Python
- R
- Salesforce software
- SAS
- Tableau
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Dowling Associates TRAFFIX
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Law and Government
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service