All About Traffic Technicians
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.
Daily Life Of a Traffic Technician
- Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Develop plans or long-range strategies for providing adequate parking space.
- Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
- Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
- Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
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Skills Needed to be a Traffic Technician
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 Jobs
- Traffic Survey Technician
- Traffic Analyst
- Traffic Engineering Technician
- Traffic Control Specialist
- Traffic Signal Technician (TST)
Is There Job 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 800 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Traffic Technician Average Salary
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 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Traffic Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Traffic Technicians:
- 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
Learn what Traffic Technician education requirements there are.

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

Where Traffic Technicians Are Employed

Traffic Technicians work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those who work as a Traffic Technician sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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