Career comparison
Bridge Tender vs. Traffic Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Traffic technicians earn more at the median ($59,090 vs. $57,700), while bridge tenders usually get to work faster (A few weeks of training of training). Bridge tenders open drawbridges and run canal locks so boats can pass. Traffic technicians study traffic and help keep signals and roads working well.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Bridge Tender | Traffic Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $57,700 ($27.74/hr) | $59,090 ($28.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $28,090 – $75,360 | $39,090 – $85,130 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.3% (a projected decline) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 300 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few weeks of training | Several months on the job |
| Key credential | Agency training | IMSA Traffic Signal Technician |
| Work setting | Tenders work in bridge houses and lock control rooms.. | Technicians work in the field and in city or state offices.. |
What each job does
Bridge Tender
- Open and close bridges
- Stop traffic
- Operate locks
- Communicate with vessels
- Inspect equipment
Traffic Technician
- Count traffic
- Study speeds
- Time signals
- Inspect signs and markings
- Set up counters
How they’re similar
Both careers involve steady routines. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose bridge tender if…
- I like quiet work
- I pay attention
- I can work shifts
Choose traffic technician if…
- I like data
- I like improving safety
- I like field work
Still torn? Take the Bridge Tender fit quiz and the Traffic Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, bridge tender or traffic technician?
Traffic Technicians earn more at the median: $59,090 versus $57,700 for bridge tenders, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Bridge Tenders typically train faster (A few weeks of training) than traffic technicians (Several months on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects traffic technicians to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with -2.3% for bridge tenders.