Traffic Technicians
SOC Code: 53-6041.00
Transportation & Material MovingTraffic technicians are transportation professionals who study and analyze the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on roadways, collecting the data that engineers and planners need to design safer, more efficient transportation networks. Their fieldwork forms the empirical foundation for decisions about signal timing, speed limits, lane configurations, and lighting improvements. Working at the intersection of engineering, public safety, and urban planning, traffic technicians contribute directly to reducing accidents and congestion on roadways. The role blends technical measurement skills with an understanding of traffic engineering principles and regulatory standards. It is a career that suits detail-oriented individuals who are comfortable working outdoors and comfortable with the precision demands of data collection.
Salary Overview
Median
$58,480
25th Percentile
$46,690
75th Percentile
$74,480
90th Percentile
$85,810
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
+3.7%
New Openings
800
Outlook
As fast as average
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- 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.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: High School Diploma
Related Careers
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A Day in the Life
A typical workday for a traffic technician starts with reviewing the day's assigned field study locations and confirming equipment calibration. In the field, technicians set up pneumatic tubes, radar guns, video cameras, or manual counting boards to capture vehicle and pedestrian counts by time period, direction, and vehicle classification. They monitor equipment during the study, troubleshoot any technical issues, and retrieve data at the end of the collection window. Back at the office, technicians process raw data, run quality checks, and format findings into tables and summary reports for engineers. They may also examine intersection geometry, evaluate signal phasing, and log observations about lighting, signage, and pavement markings.
Work Environment
Traffic technicians spend a significant portion of their time in the field, working at roadsides, intersections, and highway corridors in all weather conditions. Field assignments require careful attention to personal safety, including the use of high-visibility clothing and adherence to traffic control protocols when working near live traffic. Office work involves data processing, report writing, and collaboration with engineering staff using GIS software and traffic analysis tools. The job frequently requires early morning or late-night data collection to capture off-peak or peak travel periods. Most positions are with state or local transportation agencies, county public works departments, or private traffic engineering consulting firms.
Career Path & Advancement
Entry into the field often begins with a technician or assistant role supporting experienced engineers on data collection projects, gaining familiarity with counting equipment and reporting templates. Over time, technicians take on independent fieldwork assignments and develop the ability to interpret data and identify patterns that inform engineering recommendations. Mid-career professionals often specialize in areas such as signal operations, crash data analysis, or pedestrian and bicycle safety studies. With additional education or certification, experienced technicians can advance to traffic engineering technologist positions or move into project coordination roles. Some pursue licensure as Professional Engineers or certified transportation planners, broadening their scope of responsibility.
Specializations
Signal timing specialists focus on optimizing traffic signal systems, analyzing delay and queue data to improve the flow at intersections and along coordinated arterials. Pedestrian and bicycle safety technicians conduct studies at crosswalks, multi-use paths, and school zones, informing countermeasure selection for vulnerable road users. Crash data analysts compile and spatially map accident records to identify high-risk locations for targeted safety improvement programs. Work zone traffic control specialists assess the impact of construction activities on traffic flow and develop detour and signage plans to maintain safe mobility.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Meaningful contribution to public safety by improving road conditions and reducing accidents
- ✓Varied fieldwork keeps the role dynamic and prevents monotony of purely office-based work
- ✓Strong job stability with consistent demand from government agencies and engineering firms
- ✓Exposure to transportation engineering concepts provides a platform for career advancement
- ✓IMSA and other certifications provide clear, structured credentials for professional growth
- ✓Increasing adoption of smart traffic technology creates opportunities to develop cutting-edge skills
- ✓Competitive salary relative to the level of formal education typically required
Challenges
- ✗Fieldwork in traffic environments carries inherent personal safety risks
- ✗Early morning, late night, or weekend data collection is frequently required
- ✗Outdoor work in extreme heat, cold, or rain is a routine part of the job
- ✗Highly routine counting and data entry phases of the work can feel repetitive
- ✗Career advancement to engineering-level roles typically requires additional education
- ✗Job openings are often concentrated in government agencies with slower hiring processes
- ✗Limited public visibility or recognition for the behind-the-scenes nature of the work
Industry Insight
Increasing investment in transportation safety through federal programs like the Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative is sustaining demand for traffic studies and safety analyses nationwide. The integration of connected vehicle data, Bluetooth travel time sensors, and smart traffic signal systems is transforming how traffic data is collected and analyzed, expanding the technical skill set required of modern technicians. Urbanization trends and the growth of multimodal transportation — including e-bikes, scooters, and autonomous vehicles — are creating new categories of traffic study that did not exist a decade ago. State and local governments are under pressure to address pedestrian fatality rates, driving increased demand for pedestrian and bicycle safety studies. Remote sensing and AI-powered video analytics are automating portions of data collection, shifting the role toward data interpretation and quality assurance.
How to Break Into This Career
An associate's or bachelor's degree in civil engineering technology, transportation, or a related field is a common pathway into traffic technician roles, though some employers hire based on relevant field experience. Familiarity with traffic counting equipment manufacturers such as Jamar or MetroCount, and experience with traffic analysis software like Synchro or HCS, adds significant appeal to job applications. Many technicians start their careers through internships with transportation agencies or consulting firms, gaining hands-on exposure to field data collection and report preparation. Professional certifications such as the Traffic Signal Technician (TST) credential from the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) demonstrate commitment and competence. State DOT examination programs often provide formal pathways for advancement into higher-level technologist classifications.
Career Pivot Tips
Traffic technicians develop hands-on expertise in field data collection, technical reporting, and transportation engineering principles that transfer naturally to civil engineering technologist, urban planning, or GIS analyst roles. Professionals from surveying, construction inspection, or environmental monitoring backgrounds will find their field discipline and attention to measurement accuracy immediately applicable. Those with GIS experience will accelerate quickly in traffic roles, as spatial data analysis is a growing component of traffic safety and operations work. Law enforcement professionals transitioning to civilian transportation roles bring valuable perspective on traffic safety enforcement and crash investigation, complementing the technical side of the role. Community college programs in civil engineering technology or transportation often provide efficient bridge pathways for career changers.
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