Career comparison
Civil Engineering Technician vs. Traffic Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Civil engineering technicians earn more at the median ($64,950 vs. $59,090), while traffic technicians usually get to work faster (Several months on the job of training). Civil engineering technicians help civil engineers plan, design and test roads, bridges and infrastructure. 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 Engineering Technician | Traffic Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,950 ($31.23/hr) | $59,090 ($28.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,220 – $98,980 | $39,090 – $85,130 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.2% (about as fast as average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 6,100 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2 years | Several months on the job |
| Key credential | NICET certification | IMSA Traffic Signal Technician |
| Work setting | Technicians split time between offices and construction sites, in all weather.. | Technicians work in the field and in city or state offices.. |
What each job does
Civil Engineering Technician
- Draft plans and drawings
- Estimate quantities and costs
- Test soil, concrete and asphalt
- Inspect construction sites
- Collect and analyze field data
Traffic Technician
- Count traffic
- Study speeds
- Time signals
- Inspect signs and markings
- Set up counters
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors and working with information. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and transportation & logistics, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose civil engineering technician if…
- I like construction and design
- I enjoy math
- I want field and office work
Choose traffic technician if…
- I like data
- I like improving safety
- I like field work
Still torn? Take the Civil Engineering Technician fit quiz and the Traffic Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, civil engineering technician or traffic technician?
Civil Engineering Technicians earn more at the median: $64,950 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 engineering technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects traffic technicians to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with +3.2% for civil engineering technicians.