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.
Traffic Technicians
SOC: 53-6041 O*NET: 53-6041.00
Median Salary
$58,480
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Traffic Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,690
25th percentile
Median
$58,480
50th percentile
Experienced
$74,480
75th percentile
Top Earners
$85,810
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,060
25th
$46,690
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$58,480
Mean: $61,310
75th
$74,480
90th
$85,810
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $47,750 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,690 and $74,480
- •Salary spread is 47.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 7,580 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:7,900
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services20.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services20.4%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services18.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.7%
Annual Openings:800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)7,900
Current
2034 (Projected)8,200
+3.7%
+300
Employment Change
+3.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Traffic Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 36 locations
New York
970 jobs$69,9302.06x
Florida
760 jobs$52,2301.58x
Texas
700 jobs$47,8901.02x
Georgia
290 jobs$52,7201.19x
Arizona
280 jobs$59,8701.81x
Missouri
240 jobs$55,1201.68x
Nevada
220 jobs$51,4102.97x
Tennessee
210 jobs$54,9101.30x
South Carolina
130 jobs$55,3301.15x
Kansas
130 jobs$41,5901.90x
Maryland
120 jobs$66,9200.90x
Ohio
120 jobs$59,8100.45x
Alabama
120 jobs$50,6601.20x
North Carolina
120 jobs$48,8300.50x
Virginia
110 jobs$62,3600.57x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Complex Problem Solving
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Writing
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Writing
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Police Identification and Records Officers100%
5 shared skills
Security Managers100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Writing
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Traffic Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
SAS
🔥 Hot TechThe MathWorks MATLAB
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechC++
🔥 Hot TechPython
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Tableau
Autodesk AutoCAD
Bentley MicroStation
Salesforce software
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
C++
Python
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)Analysis & Evaluation (2)General Responsibilities (9)
1
Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping97% perform98%
3
Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform90%
7
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Lay out pavement markings for striping crews.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Traffic Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Traffic Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Traffic Technicians
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.52
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.41
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.33
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.29
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.21
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.18
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.4
Integrity
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Independence
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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