How to hire a traffic analyst

How to hire a traffic analyst, step by step

Here's a step-by-step traffic analyst hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a traffic analyst job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic analyst
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a traffic analyst do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The traffic analyst hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A traffic analyst's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, traffic analysts from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of traffic analysts.

   Type of Traffic Analyst	Description	Hourly rate
   Traffic Analyst		$21-41
   Transportation Technician	A transportation technician is tasked to assist in all matters concerning transportation and delivery of products and items to intended destinations. The transportation technician provides the proper delivery and transport rates and methods on the best and most efficient delivery method... Show more	$13-23
   Logistics Coordinator	A logistics coordinator is responsible for ensuring that an organization's supply operations are running smoothly and efficiently. One of their primary duties is to manage the workflow and workforce while focusing on the cycle of order preparations, transportation, and delivery of products... Show more	$14-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • DOT
   • Forwarders
   • AES
   • Freight Carriers
   • SQL
   • Autocad
   • ACD
   • LTL
   • Freight Bills
   • Traffic Data
   • International Shipments
   • Sigma
   • Traffic Control

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the account by performing detail cost/benefit analysis and WMS analysis.
   • Analyze collect freight movements; truckload, LTL, small package.
   • Act as liaison with internal departments, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and insurance companies for domestic and international shipments.
   • Identify logistics areas for process improvement and cost savings to ensure achievement of expectations.
   • Rout outbound LTL shipments and process bill of ladings for outbound shipments.
   • Assist in the implementation of and outsourcing a TMS system as well as external audit.

   More traffic analyst duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your traffic analyst job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A traffic analyst salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, traffic analysts' average salary in louisiana is 47% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level traffic analysts earn 48% less than senior-level traffic analysts.
   • Certifications. A traffic analyst with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a traffic analyst's salary.

   Average traffic analyst salary

   $62,962yearly

   $30.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level traffic analyst salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

   Average traffic analyst salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Virginia	$85,409	$41
   2	California	$84,841	$41
   3	South Carolina	$75,537	$36
   4	New York	$74,092	$36
   5	Oregon	$71,598	$34
   6	North Carolina	$65,476	$31
   7	Arizona	$64,711	$31
   8	Illinois	$62,208	$30
   9	Georgia	$60,541	$29
   10	Texas	$57,664	$28
   11	Maryland	$56,898	$27
   12	Louisiana	$52,489	$25

   Average traffic analyst salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	WebMD	$78,368	$37.68
   2	Arcadis	$75,200	$36.15	3
   3	AECOM	$71,085	$34.18	35
   4	Smithfield Foods	$71,075	$34.17
   5	Stantec	$70,309	$33.80	9
   6	VHB	$68,954	$33.15	6
   7	Kimley-Horn	$68,848	$33.10	32
   8	United Natural Foods	$67,660	$32.53
   9	Honeywell	$66,513	$31.98
   10	McAdams	$66,069	$31.76	2
   11	AnaCom, Inc.	$66,014	$31.74
   12	Cambridge Systematics	$65,682	$31.58
   13	Turkish Airlines	$65,131	$31.31
   14	City of Houston	$64,595	$31.06
   15	ManTech	$64,490	$31.00	14
   16	UnitedHealth Group	$63,988	$30.76
   17	Rings Levin A Atty	$60,318	$29.00
   18	ManpowerGroup	$58,458	$28.10	7
   19	City of Mesa	$58,045	$27.91

4. Writing a traffic analyst job description

   A job description for a traffic analyst role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a traffic analyst job description:

   Traffic analyst job description example

   About the company
   
   Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. With a fixation on innovation and building culture, our team is rallying our company around a unique vision: forging a retail winner that is admired for national strength, deep roots in the communities we serve, and a team that has passion for food and delivering great service.
   
   Albertsons is one of the largest retail employers, providing approximately 300,000 jobs across 2,200 stores, 22 distribution centers, 20 food and beverage plants and various support offices. We operate in 34 states and the District of Columbia under the Albertsons banner, as well as Safeway, Tom Thumb, Jewel Osco, Shaw's and many more recognizable names.
   
   Albertsons Companies recently rolled out our Presence with a Purpose work model. Placing a premium on adaptability, safety and family well-being, Presence with a Purpose will help us build a hybrid work environment between remote work and office time. A one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to everyone, and teams are allowed to make decisions that are best for them.
   
   What you will be doing
   
   This role supports daily operations by working directly with suppliers and internal customers to strategically analyze managed freight opportunities balancing cost and service.
   
   We are looking for a focused and reliable individual that enjoys working with suppliers to execute at a high level to meet internal customer needs. Effective communication skills will be key for success.
   
   The position will be based in Phoenix, Arizona, one of our other corporate locations (Pleasanton, CA; Fullerton, CA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Denver, CO; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Boise, ID; Chicago, IL) or remote.
   
   Main responsibilities
   
   * Analyze the transportation cost per lane by commodity and find cost savings opportunities for the Company
   * Responsible for understanding the freight market and negotiating rates with product suppliers
   * Work as a team player with internal staff and external customers to accomplish least cost/on-time delivery service
   * Communicate with buyers, vendors, and warehouse personnel on strategic changes and problem resolution
   * Strategic understanding of company's truckload, LTL, and intermodal programs, which include both dry and perishable commodities
   * Understanding of freight tendering and load tracking
   * Working knowledge of freight claim liability and resolution
   * Working knowledge of DOT rules and regulations
   * Special projects as assigned
   
   A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.
   
   What we are searching for
   
   * Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Logistics, or Business-related field preferred
   * 2+ years transportation operations experience
   * Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Access, Word, and Outlook
   * Proven customer service skills
   * Excellent analytical, negotiating, and problem-solving skills
   * Detail-oriented and able to work independently as well as part of an integrated team
   * Strong working knowledge of business analysis and implementation
   
   What it is like at Albertsons?
   
   Albertsons Culture Principles
   
   Compassion: We always treat each other with kindness and respect Team: We always support and recognize each other Inclusive: We always value everyone's perspective Learning: We always strive to grow and develop ourselves and others Competitive: We always act with integrity to win over the customer Ownership: We always take actions to drive our success
   
   #LI-ER1
   
   #LI-ACIPRO

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right traffic analyst for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with traffic analysts they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit traffic analysts who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your traffic analyst job on Zippia to find and recruit traffic analyst candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with traffic analyst candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic analyst

   Once you've found the traffic analyst candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new traffic analyst. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a traffic analyst?