What Does it Take to Be a Traffic Technician?
Example of Traffic Technician Job 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.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary.
- Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices.
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What a Traffic Technician Should Know
Traffic Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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
- Radar Signal Processing Engineers
- Collection Technician
- Street Light Technician
- Traffic Survey Technician
- Traffic Control Specialist
Are There Job Opportunities 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. The BLS estimates 800 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Do Traffic Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
Traffic Technicians make between $29,750 and $79,070 a year.

Traffic Technicians who work in Oregon, Nevada, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Traffic Technicians make in each U.S. state?
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 |
What Tools do Traffic Technicians Use?
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
Education needed to be a Traffic Technician:

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

Where do Traffic Technicians Work?

Below are examples of industries where Traffic Technicians work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as a Traffic Technician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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