Hiring guide · Transportation & Logistics
How to Hire a Traffic Technician
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring traffic technicians, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $59,090), recruit through CDL schools and trucking academies, verify IMSA Traffic Signal Technician where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for traffic technicians
There are about 8,100 traffic technicians employed in the U.S., with roughly 900 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +4.0% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $39,090–$46,440 | $18.79–$22.33 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,850 | $36.47 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $85,130 | $40.93 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Traffic counting
- Attention to detail
Nice-to-haves
- IMSA Traffic Signal Technician
- ITE training
- Work zone safety
- Experience with tube counters
Where to find traffic technicians
- CDL schools and trucking academies
- Local workforce centers and staffing partners
- Military transition programs
- Referral bonuses for current drivers and associates
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Traffic Signal Technician, Traffic Engineering Technician, Traffic Counter, Transportation Technician
Screening checklist
- CDL, endorsements and DOT medical card for drivers
- Motor vehicle record and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse query for CDL drivers
- Forklift operator training and evaluation, which OSHA requires employers to provide
- Pre-employment drug screening according to policy and law
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why traffic work?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “Have you done data collection?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
3. “How do you stay safe near traffic?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “What software do you know?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
5. “How do you handle complaints?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Run a Turning Movement Count (see the steps)
- Set Up Traffic Tube Counters Safely (see the steps)
- Check Pedestrian Walk Timing (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as ADT, Turning movement count, 85th percentile speed
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Traffic Technician 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Traffic Technician training. Show them the path forward: Traffic Technician → Senior Technician → Traffic Operations Supervisor → Traffic Engineer.
Hiring traffic technicians: FAQ
How much should I pay a traffic technician?
The U.S. median wage for traffic technicians is $59,090 per year ($28.41/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($46,440), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($75,850). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a traffic technician have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for IMSA Traffic Signal Technician and ITE training where relevant, plus skills such as traffic counting, signal timing, and data analysis.
How long does it take to train a new traffic technician?
Becoming qualified typically takes Several months on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “moderate-term on-the-job training.”