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State and Local Government
New York City Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Transportation, City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation
Traffic Technicians
Traffic technicians collect and check the data that helps cities and transportation agencies understand where cars slow down, how fast traffic moves, and where signals or road changes may be needed. The work is a mix of field counting, equipment checks, and reporting, so the job sits between hands-on observation and technical paperwork. The main tradeoff is that the work is practical and stable, but it usually stays close to the field and has a modest pay ceiling unless you move into planning or supervision.
Also known as Traffic Data TechnicianTraffic Count TechnicianTraffic Survey TechnicianTransportation TechnicianTraffic Operations Technician
Median Salary
$58,480
Mean $61,310
U.S. Workforce
~8K
0.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.7%
7.9K to 8.2K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Traffic Technicians sits in the Government category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~8K workers, with a median annual pay of $58,480 and roughly 0.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 7.9 K in 2024 to 8.2K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Field Data Collector and can progress toward Traffic Operations Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Traffic Counters, Radar Guns & Field Data Devices, Microsoft Excel, Access & Spreadsheet Reporting, and ArcGIS & QGIS Mapping, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Answer questions from drivers, residents, or businesses about traffic patterns, road rules, and local traffic procedures.
- Set up counters or radar tools to measure how many vehicles are passing and how fast they are moving.
- Watch specific road segments for delays and note how long traffic backs up and how many vehicles are affected.
- Check field equipment, replace worn parts, and make small repairs so data-collection tools keep working.
Keep exploring: more Government careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Answer questions from drivers, residents, or businesses about traffic patterns, road rules, and local traffic procedures.
02 Set up counters or radar tools to measure how many vehicles are passing and how fast they are moving.
03 Watch specific road segments for delays and note how long traffic backs up and how many vehicles are affected.
04 Check field equipment, replace worn parts, and make small repairs so data-collection tools keep working.
05 Turn traffic numbers into charts, diagrams, and summaries that engineers and planners can use.
06 Write work orders or update records when traffic signs, signals, or other devices need repair or changes.
Industries That Hire
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Civil Engineering Consulting
AECOM, WSP, Jacobs
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Transportation Engineering Firms
HNTB, Kimley-Horn, Parsons
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Intelligent Transportation Systems
Iteris, Econolite, Cubic Transportation Systems
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Transit Agencies
MTA, LA Metro, Sound Transit
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The entry requirement is relatively low: BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical starting point, and 42.94% of workers in the field have that level.
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Pay is decent for a role that usually does not require a bachelor's degree, with median annual pay at $58,480 and mean pay at $61,310.
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The work is varied, mixing field observation, equipment use, and report writing instead of staying at a desk all day.
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Your data can directly affect signal timing, road redesigns, and safety decisions, so the work has visible, practical results.
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Moderate-term on-the-job training means you can build the job-specific skills without taking on years of school debt first.
Challenges
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Growth is slow at 3.7% over the 2024-2034 period, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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There are only about 7,580 jobs now and roughly 800 annual openings, so competition can be tight in many regions.
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A lot of routine counting and measurement work can be standardized or automated by sensors and software, which limits long-term upside for the most basic tasks.
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The job often requires being outside near traffic, in weather and noise that can be uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe.
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The pay ceiling is fairly modest unless you move into planning, engineering support, or supervision, which often takes additional education or a different title.
Career Progression
Field Data Collector
0-2 years
$34K-$43K
New workers spend most of their time setting up counters, logging traffic counts, and learning how to handle field equipment safely.
Traffic Technician
2-5 years
$56K-$65K
At this level, the job shifts toward collecting cleaner data, preparing summaries, answering routine questions, and helping with traffic studies.
Senior Traffic Technician THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$66K-$78K
Experienced technicians take on more complex studies, check the quality of data, and may guide other staff working in the field.
Traffic Operations Supervisor
9+ years
$79K-$95K
Supervisors coordinate study schedules, review reports, and make sure traffic data supports signal timing, repairs, and roadway changes.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the most common entry point, held by 42.94% of workers in the role, usually paired with moderate on-the-job training and field experience.
Some college courses in transportation, surveying, or GIS
Another 23.16% of workers come in with some college, which can help with counting methods, map reading, and basic data reporting.
Associate's degree in civil engineering technology, surveying, or geography
An associate's degree is held by 12.47% of workers and can make it easier to move into heavier analysis, mapping, or field supervision work.
Post-secondary certificate in traffic studies, surveying, or GIS
A smaller 9.76% of workers have a certificate, which can be useful if it includes traffic data collection, mapping software, or survey equipment training.
Key Skills
Technical
Traffic Counters, Radar Guns & Field Data Devices 72%
Microsoft Excel, Access & Spreadsheet Reporting 70%
ArcGIS & QGIS Mapping 68%
Tableau & Traffic Data Visualization 66%
CMMS Work Order Systems 64%
Survey Equipment Calibration & Minor Repairs 62%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingReading Comprehension Job Outlook and Trends
+3.7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 7.9K to 8.2 K over the next decade, representing 3.7% growth. Around 0.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.