Career comparison
Surveyor vs. Traffic Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Surveyors earn more at the median ($75,440 vs. $59,090), while traffic technicians usually get to work faster (Several months on the job of training). Surveyors measure land and set official property boundaries. 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
| Surveyor | Traffic Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $75,440 ($36.27/hr) | $59,090 ($28.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,880 – $125,590 | $39,090 – $85,130 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.8% (faster than average) | +4.0% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 3,100 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4 years + experience | Several months on the job |
| Key credential | Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) | IMSA Traffic Signal Technician |
| Work setting | Surveyors split time between field work in all terrain and weather and office work.. | Technicians work in the field and in city or state offices.. |
What each job does
Surveyor
- Research deeds and records
- Measure land with GPS and total stations
- Set boundary markers
- Prepare plats and legal descriptions
- Stake out construction
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 surveyor if…
- I like working outdoors
- I’m precise
- I enjoy math
Choose traffic technician if…
- I like data
- I like improving safety
- I like field work
Still torn? Take the Surveyor fit quiz and the Traffic Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, surveyor or traffic technician?
Surveyors earn more at the median: $75,440 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 surveyors (4 years + experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects surveyors to grow +5.8% from 2025–35, compared with +4.0% for traffic technicians.