Occupation · SOC 53-6041
Traffic Technicians
Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Median wage
$58,480
$38,060–$85,810
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
7,580
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
55 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingWritingMonitoringTime ManagementSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationActive LearningService OrientationPersuasionOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisMathematicsInstructingScienceOperation and ControlNegotiationLearning StrategiesQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingTechnology DesignProgrammingManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceRepairingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityTransportationComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyLaw and GovernmentMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativeEducation and TrainingMechanicalDesignBuilding and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsGeographyPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsCommunications and MediaProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingPsychologyChemistryHistory and ArcheologySales and MarketingSociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageBiologyTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADBentley MicroStationC++Computer aided design and drafting software CADDDowling Associates TRAFFIXESRI ArcGIS softwareESRI ArcViewGeographic information system GIS systemsJAMAR Technologies PETRAProMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle DatabasePd' Programming Intersection MagicPythonRSASSalesforce softwareStructure query language SQLTableauThe MathWorks MATLABTraffic control softwareTraffic signal softwareTrafficware SimTrafficWord processing software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationWorking with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDocumenting/Recording InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersThinking CreativelyDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCoaching and Developing OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Traffic delay observations — record times, vehicle counts, and speeds through congestion zones under direct supervisor guidance at assigned field sites.Basic traffic data — collect and log volume counts using manual tallies or portable counters on low-volume roadways under close supervision.Public inquiries — respond to routine traffic-related questions from residents using established scripts and approved department FAQs.Traffic control devices — identify and categorize signs, signals, and markings in the field by following standard inspection checklists.Spreadsheet software — enter field-collected traffic data into pre-formatted templates under the direction of a senior technician.Traffic ordinances — read and summarize applicable local traffic regulations with guidance from a supervising technician or engineer.Simple graphs and charts — produce basic bar and line charts from provided datasets using office suite or spreadsheet software.Field equipment — set up and retrieve portable traffic counters and speed-monitoring devices following step-by-step operating procedures.Complaint intake — document public complaints about traffic conditions accurately using department-provided forms and reporting systems.Safety protocols — follow personal protective equipment requirements and work-zone safety rules during all field data collection activities.
developing
Traffic delay studies — conduct timed delay observations independently, noting vehicle counts and speeds and compiling results into structured field reports.Speed and volume data — analyze collected traffic measurements to identify recurring congestion patterns on familiar corridor types with limited oversight.Public interaction — address moderately complex traffic-related complaints and requests by referencing ordinances, departmental policies, and prior case records.CAD and GIS software — draft basic traffic layout diagrams and plot study locations on geographic information system platforms for routine projects.Data visualizations — prepare clear graphs, charts, and diagrams that illustrate field observations and support engineering staff recommendations.Intersection counts — plan and execute turning-movement count studies at standard signalized intersections using approved counting software and equipment.Database queries — retrieve and organize historical traffic count records from department databases to support trend analysis and reporting.Traffic signal timing — review existing signal timing plans and flag apparent inefficiencies for engineer review using monitoring data and observation notes.Written reports — draft factual, well-organized field study summaries and technical memos suitable for internal department distribution.Work-zone coordination — coordinate with field crew members to set up temporary traffic control measures in accordance with approved traffic control plans.
proficient
Comprehensive delay studies — independently design and execute multi-location traffic delay studies, synthesizing speed, volume, and time data into actionable engineering reports.Complex problem resolution — diagnose non-routine traffic flow problems at high-volume intersections by applying critical thinking and inductive reasoning to field and historical data.Public and stakeholder communication — lead public-facing meetings and one-on-one discussions to explain traffic control policies, study findings, and planned improvements to diverse audiences.Advanced data analysis — use analytical or scientific software and GIS platforms to model traffic patterns, evaluate system performance, and support corridor-level recommendations.Technical graphics production — produce professional-grade diagrams, signal timing sheets, and traffic flow charts that meet departmental and engineering submission standards.Systems evaluation — assess the effectiveness of existing traffic control configurations across an entire corridor or district, identifying systemic deficiencies and improvement priorities.Legal and regulatory application — interpret and apply traffic law, government standards, and safety codes to field conditions, recommending compliant solutions without engineer prompting.Presentation development — create and deliver data-driven presentations using presentation software to communicate study results to department leadership and partner agencies.Multi-project time management — manage simultaneous field study assignments across multiple sites, independently scheduling resources and meeting established deadlines.Mentorship of junior staff — guide emerging technicians through field data collection procedures, equipment operation, and report writing in day-to-day work settings.
advanced
Program-level traffic monitoring — establish and oversee citywide or district-wide traffic data collection programs, setting standards, schedules, and quality benchmarks for all technician teams.Policy and procedure development — author and revise departmental traffic study protocols, public interaction guidelines, and technical reporting standards adopted across the organization.Workforce development — design and deliver formal training curricula for traffic technician staff, aligning skill-building activities with current O*NET competencies and industry best practices.Strategic systems analysis — lead comprehensive evaluations of the transportation network to identify systemic performance gaps and provide evidence-based recommendations to executive leadership.Interagency coordination — represent the department in cross-agency working groups, negotiating shared traffic management strategies with law enforcement, public works, and transit partners.Capital project support — provide authoritative technical guidance on traffic impact analyses for major infrastructure or development projects, influencing design decisions at the planning stage.Advanced technology integration — evaluate and direct the adoption of emerging traffic monitoring technologies—drones, connected-vehicle data, adaptive signal systems—into departmental operations.Personnel resource management — allocate technician assignments, manage workload distribution, and conduct performance evaluations to sustain a high-functioning traffic operations unit.Public safety leadership — develop department-wide incident response protocols for traffic emergencies, coordinating with public safety agencies and ensuring compliance with applicable law.Organizational reporting and advocacy — prepare executive-level briefings, board presentations, and legislative testimony that translate complex traffic data into clear policy recommendations.
Also known as
27 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Collection TechnicianField Traffic InvestigatorHighway Traffic Control TechnicianPavement EngineerPermit TechnicianRadar Signal Processing EngineersSign TechnicianStreet Light TechnicianSurvey Field TechnicianTraffic AnalystTraffic Control LaborerTraffic Control SpecialistTraffic Control TechnicianTraffic CoordinatorTraffic Engineering TechnicianTraffic InvestigatorTraffic Management SpecialistTraffic Monitor SpecialistTraffic Signal InstallerTraffic Signal Technician (TST)Traffic SpecialistTraffic Survey TechnicianTraffic TechnicianTransportation AnalystTransportation Operations Specialist (Transportation Ops Specialist)Transportation Planning TechnicianTransportation Technician