Traffic Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Traffic Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $59,090 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 7,860. Wage data is published for 81 locations.
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.
O*NET code
53-6041.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$59,090
Hourly median
$28.41
Employment
7,860
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Speaking | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.25 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Writing | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Coordination | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 3.12 |
Typical tasks
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
- Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
- Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
- 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.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
- Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Bentley MicroStation
- C++
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Dowling Associates TRAFFIX
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- ESRI ArcView
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- JAMAR Technologies PETRAPro
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Traffic Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Traffic Technicians Salary in CAMedian $79,110 · Employment 1,250
- Traffic Technicians Salary in NYMedian $71,670 · Employment 950
- Traffic Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $81,910 · Employment 750
- Traffic Technicians Salary in FLMedian $51,220 · Employment 710
- Traffic Technicians Salary in TXMedian $48,770 · Employment 650
- Traffic Technicians Salary in TNMedian $44,970 · Employment 460
- Traffic Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $78,640 · Employment 400
- Traffic Technicians Salary in AZMedian $59,980 · Employment 310
- Traffic Technicians Salary in Washington, DCMedian $70,100 · Employment 300
- Traffic Technicians Salary in San Diego, CAMedian $85,100 · Employment 230
- Traffic Technicians Salary in MOMedian $56,720 · Employment 220
- Traffic Technicians Salary in GAMedian $48,110 · Employment 220
Related careers
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentNational median $74,090
- First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle OperatorsNational median not published
- Signal and Track Switch RepairersNational median $92,460
- Geodetic SurveyorsNational median $75,440
- Transportation InspectorsNational median $92,100
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersNational median $107,230
- Logistics EngineersNational median $82,320
- Civil EngineersNational median $100,840
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.