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Traffic Technicians

Transportation, Distribution and LogisticsO*NET 53-6041.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$59,093

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+5.5%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

42.9% of the workforce

Employment
9.45K jobs

Growing to 9.97K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What traffic technicians do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
  • 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.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$39,083
25th percentile
$46,446
50th percentile
$59,093
75th percentile
$75,858
90th percentile
$85,134

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $59,093 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+5.5%average or slower
20259,446 jobs
2035 projected9,965 jobs

519 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less
42.9%
Some college
23.2%
Associate degree
12.5%
Bachelor's degree
11.7%
Certificate
9.8%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Traffic Control
  • Traffic Control Devices
  • Lifting Ability
  • Construction
  • Good Driving Record
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Hand Tools
  • Traffic Flow
  • Signalized Traffic Control
  • Pavement Markings
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Public Works
  • Project Management
  • Traffic Engineering
  • Electrical Wiring
  • Backhoes
  • Occupational Safety And Health
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems
  • Equipment Repair
  • Balancing (Ledger/Billing)

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Traffic Control Technicians689 postings
  2. 02Traffic Signal Technicians530 postings
  3. 03Flaggers293 postings
  4. 04Traffic Technicians160 postings
  5. 05Highway Maintenance Supervisors128 postings
  6. 06Traffic Coordinators102 postings
  7. 07Technicians96 postings
  8. 08Transportation Technicians96 postings
  9. 09Transportation Operations Specialists91 postings
  10. 10Traffic Control Specialists88 postings
  11. 11Service Technician Apprentices78 postings
  12. 12Traffic Signal Installers67 postings
  13. 13Traffic Control Flaggers57 postings
  14. 14Engineering Technicians52 postings
  15. 15Traffic Analysts52 postings
  16. 16Electricians/Electrical Technicians49 postings
  17. 17Human Resources Systems Analysts47 postings
  18. 18Roadway Engineers45 postings
  19. 19Field Technicians44 postings
  20. 20Human Resources Data Specialists43 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Roadsafe Traffic Systems193 postings
  2. 02PeopleReady182 postings
  3. 03State Of Colorado116 postings
  4. 04Suburban Propane92 postings
  5. 05Marvin91 postings
  6. 06State Of Texas78 postings
  7. 07State of Vermont75 postings
  8. 08Parsons74 postings
  9. 09Awp62 postings
  10. 10Cityrise57 postings
  11. 11AECOM52 postings
  12. 12State of South Carolina50 postings
  13. 13Asplundh Tree Experts47 postings
  14. 14Fc Traffic Control40 postings
  15. 15National Data And Surveying Services40 postings
  16. 16Stake Center Locating40 postings
  17. 17Aerotek38 postings
  18. 18Colliers Engineering & Design38 postings
  19. 19ICONMA32 postings
  20. 20United States Department of Transportation31 postings

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