Career comparison
Civil Engineer vs. Traffic Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Civil engineers earn more at the median ($100,840 vs. $59,090), while traffic technicians usually get to work faster (Several months on the job of training). Civil engineers design and build roads, bridges, water systems and the infrastructure we rely on. 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
| Civil Engineer | Traffic Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $100,840 ($48.48/hr) | $59,090 ($28.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $68,240 – $163,220 | $39,090 – $85,130 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.4% (faster than average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 22,700 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4 years + PE path | Several months on the job |
| Key credential | Engineer in Training (EIT) | IMSA Traffic Signal Technician |
| Work setting | Civil engineers work in offices and at construction sites.. | Technicians work in the field and in city or state offices.. |
What each job does
Civil Engineer
- Design infrastructure projects
- Analyze loads, soils and water flow
- Prepare plans and specifications
- Estimate costs
- Manage construction
Traffic Technician
- Count traffic
- Study speeds
- Time signals
- Inspect signs and markings
- Set up counters
How they’re similar
Both careers involve problem-solving and working outdoors. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and transportation & logistics, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose civil engineer if…
- I love math and physics
- I want to build infrastructure
- I like solving complex problems
Choose traffic technician if…
- I like data
- I like improving safety
- I like field work
Still torn? Take the Civil Engineer fit quiz and the Traffic Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, civil engineer or traffic technician?
Civil Engineers earn more at the median: $100,840 versus $59,090 for traffic technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Traffic Technicians typically train faster (Several months on the job) than civil engineers (4 years + PE path).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects civil engineers to grow +6.4% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for traffic technicians.