Transportation & Logistics
Traffic Technicians
Also called: Field Traffic Investigator, Traffic Control Technician (Traffic Control Tech), Traffic Field Investigator, Traffic Investigator
US median pay
$59,090
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
900
8,100 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
- Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
- Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
- Visit development or work sites to determine projects' effect on traffic and the adequacy of traffic control and safety plans or to suggest traffic control measures.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
- Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
- Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Transportation3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.9/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Engineering and Technology3.5/5
- Law and Government3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma43%
- Some college23%
- Associate's degree12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.