Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Traffic technicians work in a specialized technical role that combines analytical skills with practical problem solving. Nationally, this occupation has a median annual salary of $58,480 and employment of about 8,000 workers, with projected growth of 3.7%. There are an estimated 1,000 annual openings, suggesting a steady flow of opportunities from new positions and workforce turnover. Typical entry requires a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make this path accessible for students and career changers who are ready to build strong technical skills on the job or through additional training. The role draws on mathematics, computers and information technology, science, and mechanical abilities, as well as critical thinking and decision making. Communication skills such as writing, reading, speaking, and listening are also important, along with adaptability and creativity. People interested in technical, data-informed work with a clear pathway into the field may find this career worth exploring alongside related technician roles.
The national median annual salary for traffic technicians is $58,480. Within this national picture, salaries vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median pay ranges from $62,270 in Virginia to $79,110 in California, with New York and Washington both above $70,000. At the metro level, some areas show even higher typical earnings. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro reports a median salary of $81,910, while the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area has a median of $92,710. Other leading metros, including Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, show median salaries from the low $70,000s to high $70,000s. These differences suggest that location decisions can significantly influence earning potential, with certain large metro areas offering higher median pay for this occupation than the national level.
Traffic technicians have national employment of about 8,000, with projected employment growth of 3.7%. This same 3.7% projected growth rate appears across the highlighted top states and metro areas, indicating a consistent projection in the locations identified with higher opportunity scores. An estimated 1,000 annual openings nationwide point to recurring opportunities, including both new positions and replacement of workers who change roles or retire. For individuals considering long-term prospects, this combination of modest employment size, measurable projected growth, and ongoing yearly openings may be appealing. The presence of traffic technician roles across multiple states and several major metro areas also suggests that opportunities are not limited to a single region. People who want to stay within a technical career path can also consider related options such as environmental engineering technologists and technicians or civil engineering technologists and technicians.
Location plays a significant role in both opportunities and pay for traffic technicians. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $79,110, employment of 1,250, projected growth of 3.7%, and the highest opportunity score listed at 67.38. New York also offers relatively high employment at 950 and a median salary of $71,670 with an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts, Washington, and Virginia have smaller employment numbers—ranging from 70 to 90—but still appear among the top states by opportunity score, with median salaries from $62,270 to $71,960. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area combines a high median salary of $81,910, employment of 750, and the highest opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont shows the top metro median salary at $92,710. Other strong metros include Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, and Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, all offering distinct mixes of employment levels, salaries, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for traffic technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make this career accessible to people who are not pursuing a four-year degree. However, success in this field draws on a broad technical and cognitive skill set. Key strengths include mathematics, computers and information technology, and science, supporting the more analytical aspects of the work. Mechanical skills are also important, alongside problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and creativity and innovation. Strong communication abilities—writing and reading, as well as speaking and listening—are highlighted, suggesting that traffic technicians need to interpret information accurately and convey it clearly. Adaptability is also emphasized, which can help workers respond to changing conditions or requirements. People who build these skills through high school coursework, self-directed learning, or additional training may be well positioned to enter and grow in this occupation or explore similar technician roles.
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