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Traffic Technician

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What is a Traffic Technician?

Occupation Description 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.

A Day in the Life of a Traffic Technician

  • Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
  • Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public.
  • Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
  • Interview motorists about specific intersections or highways to gather road-condition information for use in planning.
  • Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches.
  • Visit development or work sites to determine projects’ effect on traffic and the adequacy of traffic control and safety plans or to suggest traffic control measures.

Skills Needed to be a Traffic Technician

Below is a list of the skills most Traffic Technicians say are important on the job.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Types of Traffic Technician

  • Highway Traffic Control Technician
  • Traffic Control Technician
  • Permit Technician
  • Traffic Signal Technician (TST)
  • Traffic Engineering Technician

Is There Going to be Demand for Traffic Technicians?

There were about 6,600 jobs for Traffic Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Traffic Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 800 positions for Traffic Technician per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Traffic Technician are North Dakota, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Watch out if you plan on working in South Carolina, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Traffic Technician Make?

Traffic Technicians make between $29,750 and $79,070 a year.

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Traffic Technicians who work in Oregon, Nevada, or New York, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Traffic Technicians in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $49,730
Arkansas $41,200
California $61,750
Florida $41,970
Georgia $39,520
Hawaii $55,020
Illinois $56,940
Iowa $44,960
Kansas $48,860
Kentucky $37,720
Louisiana $40,830
Maryland $42,550
Massachusetts $49,030
Michigan $42,420
Missouri $45,820
Nevada $69,320
New Jersey $52,130
New Mexico $37,560
New York $62,100
North Carolina $41,310
Ohio $51,270
Oklahoma $40,350
Oregon $70,500
Pennsylvania $56,240
South Carolina $43,630
Tennessee $42,730
Texas $46,110
Utah $47,170
Virginia $51,260
Washington $63,560
Wisconsin $50,380
Wyoming $45,870

Tools & Technologies Used by Traffic Technicians

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Traffic Technicians may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Python
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • SAS
  • R
  • Oracle software
  • Salesforce software
  • Tableau
  • Bentley Microstation
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Structure query language SQL

How to Become a Traffic Technician

What kind of Traffic Technician requirements are there?

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What work experience do I need to become a Traffic Technician?

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Who Employs Traffic Technicians?

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Traffic Technicians work in the following industries:

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Career changers with experience as a Traffic Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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