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Transportation & Logistics career
Traffic Technician
Also called: Traffic Signal Technician · Traffic Engineering Technician · Traffic Counter · Transportation Technician
What traffic technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a traffic technician do?
Traffic technicians conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting and other factors influencing traffic conditions. The median pay is $59,090 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Several months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +4.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$59,090$28.41/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainSeveral months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs8,100Employment, 2025
What traffic technicians do
Traffic technicians help roads flow safely. They count traffic, study speeds and crashes, time signals, inspect signs and markings, set up counters and cameras, and support traffic engineers with data and plans.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Count traffic
- Study speeds
- Time signals
- Inspect signs and markings
- Set up counters
- Analyze data
- Support engineers
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work in the field and in city or state offices.
Schedule: Full-time daytime hours, with some night work.
A day in the life
- Set up tube counters.
- Watch a busy intersection.
- Check a signal timing plan.
- Inspect signs.
See a full day in the life of a traffic technician →
Traffic Technician salary
Half of traffic technicians earned more than $59,090 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,090 for the lowest 10% to $85,130 for the top 10%.
Full traffic technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a traffic technician
- Finish high school
- Take engineering tech courses
- Get hired at a DOT or city
- Earn IMSA credentials
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; engineering technology courses help.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a traffic technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Traffic counting
- Signal timing
- Data analysis
- MUTCD standards
- GIS
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Safety awareness
- Problem-solving
All traffic technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Public sector benefits
- Mix of field and office
- Improve safety
- No degree needed
Cons
- Traffic hazards
- Weather
- Repetitive counts
- Budget limits
Certifications and licenses
- IMSA Traffic Signal Technician: Credential.
- ITE training: Institute of Transportation Engineers.
- Work zone safety: Required.
- GIS certificate: Helpful.
Career path
- Traffic Technician: Entry.
- Senior Technician: Lead studies.
- Traffic Operations Supervisor: Lead.
- Traffic Engineer: With a degree.
Learn the job before day one
Our Traffic Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a turning movement count and set up traffic tube counters safely, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Traffic Technician vs. Civil Engineering Tech · Traffic Technician vs. Urban Planner · Traffic Technician vs. Civil Engineer · Traffic Technician vs. Surveyor
Traffic Technician FAQ
Who hires traffic technicians?
Cities, counties, states and engineering firms.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects about average growth.
How much does a traffic technician make?
The median annual wage for traffic technicians was $59,090 ($28.41 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $85,130.
How long does it take to become a traffic technician?
Most people need about Several months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical; engineering technology courses help.
Do you need a degree to be a traffic technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More traffic technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-6041 (Traffic technicians).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Traffic technicians (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.