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Traffic Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $59,090 Median per year · $28.41/hr Most earn $39,090–$85,130

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
  • 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.
  • Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
  • Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
  • Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals55.9%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals16.8%
  • Engineering services11.3%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Traffic Technician is not usually a straight-out-of-school job. Most people finish a certificate or apprenticeship and then spend about 2 to 4 years in related field work before taking this role, so plan on roughly 3 to 6 years after high school.

  1. High school diploma with math and computer courses

    4 years

    Strong math, geometry, and computer skills give you a base for the data collection and technical reports this job requires.

  2. Certificate in civil engineering technology or transportation technology

    1-2 years

    A certificate program teaches roadway design basics, traffic counting methods, and the technical tools used in field studies.

  3. Surveying and Mapping Technician

    2-4 years

    Working in the field with measuring equipment and maps builds the hands-on skills and roadway knowledge that traffic employers look for.

  4. Traffic Technician

    Ongoing role after 2-4 years of field experience

    You collect traffic volume, speed, signal, and lighting data under the direction of a traffic engineer.

Where it can lead

  1. Civil Engineering Technologist

    2-4 years as a Traffic Technician (about 6 to 8 years total experience) of experience first

    You move from collecting data to analyzing it, preparing designs and plans, and taking on more responsibility, which usually requires more years of experience and often further training.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take geometry, algebra, and statistics if offeredStrong math skills are needed to calculate traffic volumes, speeds, and study results.
  • Join a STEM, robotics, or engineering clubTeamwork and hands-on projects show you enjoy building and measuring things, which is the heart of field work.
  • Take a drafting, CAD, or computer classLearning to read maps and plans prepares you for the technical side of roadway studies.
  • Get a summer or part-time job in landscaping, construction, or public worksOutdoor work teaches reliability and comfort on job sites, and it can lead to a related field job later.
  • Volunteer for a local road safety or community transportation projectHelping with a crosswalk survey or safety event shows you how traffic affects real people.

In college

  • Enroll in a civil engineering technology or transportation technology programA certificate or associate degree in this field is the most common training route into traffic work.
  • Take statistics and a GIS or mapping courseStatistics helps you analyze traffic data, and mapping software is widely used in transportation planning.
  • Pursue an internship with a city, county, or state transportation departmentA real internship shows you how traffic studies are run and gives you contacts for future jobs.
  • Work a campus job in facilities, engineering labs, or surveyingCampus jobs build hands-on technical experience and reliability that employers value.
  • Look into traffic-related professional certificationsTransportation professional groups offer certifications that can strengthen your résumé once you have some field experience.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for summer or part-time work on a road crew, with a city or county public works department, or with a surveying company to get field experience early.
  • Get comfortable with spreadsheets and basic data tools, since traffic studies involve recording and summarizing lots of numbers.
  • Ask a traffic engineer or technician in your area if you can talk with them or shadow them for a day to see what the work is really like.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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