Flagger vs traffic controller

The differences between flaggers and traffic controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a traffic controller has an average salary of $39,099, which is higher than the $29,484 average annual salary of a flagger.

The top three skills for a flagger include work ethic, safety rules and construction sites. The most important skills for a traffic controller are construction sites, DOT, and safety regulations.

Flagger vs traffic controller overview

	Flagger	Traffic Controller
Yearly salary	$29,484	$39,099
Hourly rate	$14.18	$18.80
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	6,597	17,859
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	53	38
Years of experience	-	-

What does a flagger do?

A flagger is an employee who is hired by government agencies or construction companies to control the flow of traffic around road construction sites. To control the flow of traffic, flaggers must erect warning signs and position traffic cones and barricades to guide drivers through the traffic flow. They are responsible for informing the construction crew of any issues that may affect their safety. Flaggers are also required to record the license plate numbers of motorists who did not obey traffic signs and directions.

What does a traffic controller do?

The primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control. They direct traffic in disruption areas like accidents, planned maintenance, building sites, and roadworks. They have to direct pedestrians for safety maintenance around road conditions and changed vehicles. They need to be keen on directing traffic flow.

Flagger vs traffic controller salary

Flaggers and traffic controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Flagger	Traffic Controller
Average salary	$29,484	$39,099
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $38,000	Between $24,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Buffalo, NY	Hartford, CT
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Alaska
Best paying company	Walsh Electric	Siemens
Best paying industry	Construction	Non Profits

Differences between flagger and traffic controller education

There are a few differences between a flagger and a traffic controller in terms of educational background:

	Flagger	Traffic Controller
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY Farmingdale

Flagger vs traffic controller demographics

Here are the differences between flaggers' and traffic controllers' demographics:

	Flagger	Traffic Controller
Average age	53	38
Gender ratio	Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0%	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	4%	7%

Differences between flagger and traffic controller duties and responsibilities

Flagger example responsibilities.

Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assign patrol areas
Test an repair uhf, vhf, Am/fm, ssb radios recording devices for a working airport.
Scan the CCTV's on the interstate system.
Maintain traffic control to ATSSA standards.
Maintain a visible presence and alertness to surrounding traffic.
Used shovels, digging bars, and other basic tools.

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Traffic controller example responsibilities.

Lead team providing cargo, personal property and passenger movements for DoD personnel.
Provide support for traffic control set-ups within ATSSA compliance and regulations.
Control air and grind traffic movement for private, commercial, and military aircraft in IFR and VFR conditions.
Ensure compliance with FAA, USAF, ANG and all local directives.
Register traffic controller, certify in CPR and first aid.
Direct staff training and the FAA qualification of facility personnel.

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Flagger vs traffic controller skills

Common flagger skills

Work Ethic, 19%
Safety Rules, 14%
Construction Sites, 13%
Direct Traffic, 8%
Vehicular Traffic, 6%
Public Safety, 5%

Common traffic controller skills

Construction Sites, 13%
DOT, 10%
Safety Regulations, 10%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Direct Traffic, 7%
TMA, 6%

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Protective Service Industry
Flagger
Flagger vs Traffic Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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