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How to hire a traffic control specialist

Traffic control specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring traffic control specialists in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a traffic control specialist is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new traffic control specialist to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a traffic control specialist, step by step

To hire a traffic control specialist, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a traffic control specialist:

Here's a step-by-step traffic control specialist 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 control specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic control specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a traffic control specialist do?

A traffic control specialist is in charge of managing and overseeing traffic conditions during roadworks, ensuring the safety of motorists and the smooth workflow of construction. Their responsibilities typically revolve around devising strategies to direct traffic, participating in installing and removing traffic control equipment such as barricades and cones, assisting motorists by providing alternative routes, and removing any road obstructions as needed. Moreover, as a traffic control specialist, it is essential to implement all the safety regulations and policies, maintaining a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

Learn more about the specifics of what a traffic control specialist does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your traffic control specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a traffic control specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A traffic control specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, traffic control specialists 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.

    Here's a comparison of traffic control specialist salaries for various roles:

    Type of Traffic Control SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Traffic Control Specialist$12-33
    Transportation TechnicianA 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
    Traffic Signal TechnicianTraffic Signal Technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and installation of traffic signals as well as highway lighting systems. Their duties include maintaining and assembling traffic signals and highway lightings, administering concrete for control equipment and pole installation, utilizing traffic signal software, and carrying out annual inspections... Show more$12-39
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Air Traffic Control
    • Airspace
    • AWP
    • EN
    • Federal Aviation Administration
    • CTO
    • IFR
    • Traffic Control Devices
    • Traffic Flow
    • Safety Alerts
    • Expeditious Movement
    • NAS
    • DOD
    • Expeditious Flow
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Furnish key initiative in all parts of government and commercial contract/compliance and manage transportation, logistics and substance contracting exercises.
    • Obtain expertise in ICAO oceanic, terminal, and en-route aviation procedures
    • Apply knowledge from both FAA 7110.65 and ICAO regulations to effect service.
    • Qualify on all operating positions within the tower and CTO card holder.
    • Increase efficiency of QA test cycles for new releases and hot fixes by maintaining and organizing internal QA test environments.
    • Perform Haz-mat and firefighting drills quarterly.
    More traffic control specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your traffic control specialist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A traffic control specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a traffic control specialist in Kansas may be lower than in Maine, and an entry-level traffic control specialist usually earns less than a senior-level traffic control specialist. Additionally, a traffic control specialist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average traffic control specialist salary

    $42,315yearly

    $20.34 hourly rate

    Entry-level traffic control specialist salary
    $25,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 30, 2026

    Average traffic control specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Alaska$54,403$26
    2California$49,280$24
    3Pennsylvania$47,654$23
    4Texas$42,941$21
    5New York$41,740$20
    6Arizona$41,126$20
    7Michigan$40,969$20
    8District of Columbia$39,012$19
    9Washington$38,941$19
    10Nevada$38,680$19
    11New Mexico$36,892$18
    12Georgia$36,866$18
    13Illinois$36,364$17
    14Oregon$36,035$17
    15Colorado$35,932$17
    16Wyoming$32,905$16
    17Utah$32,870$16
    18Idaho$32,255$16
    19Florida$31,510$15

    Average traffic control specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Serco$58,692$28.2288
    2U.S. Department of Transportation$53,015$25.4944
    3The Walsh Group$52,488$25.235
    4Leidos$50,968$24.5027
    5Walsh Electric$45,907$22.07
    6Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC$44,836$21.56
    7WarnerMedia$44,825$21.55
    8Army National Guard$44,602$21.44
    9Air National Guard$44,396$21.34
    10Serco$44,358$21.33
    11Federal Aviation Administration$44,358$21.33
    12State of North Dakota$44,239$21.27
    13Ruby Receptionists$44,143$21.22
    14JT3$44,133$21.225
    15Warner Bros.$43,766$21.04
    16Yaamava' Resort & Casino$42,424$20.402
    17Gray Television$42,287$20.334
    18Spectrum$42,179$20.28
    19Middlesex School$41,979$20.18
    20Oldcastle Infrastructure$40,324$19.39111
  4. Writing a traffic control specialist job description

    A good traffic control specialist job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a traffic control specialist job description:

    Traffic control specialist job description example

    Job Title: Crew Lead Traffic Control Specialist

    Position Objective/Description:

    The traffic control employee is responsible for the various traffic control duties on construction projects following the FDOT Index.

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

    + Meet with JOB Site Superintendent to discuss upcoming traffic control measures.

    + Daily JHA for Potential hazards and conditions

    + Review MOT plan requirements.

    + Control flow of traffic around construction site

    + Check job site for potential problems.

    + Oversee MOT set up, erection, placement, and removal of traffic control materials

    + Maintain traffic control supplies

    + May ensure that flag persons are properly trained for site duties

    + Make sure employee's timecards are entered daily

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

    + Able to read and understand construction plans, drawings, and specifications.

    + Knowledge of traffic control techniques.

    + Efficient at multi-tasking and working under the pressure of time constraints

    + Strong commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction

    + OSHA safety rules and regulations, and safety standards in hazardous traffic environments.

    + Federal and state safety and traffic laws and regulations

    + FDOT Index 600

    + Reading and understanding traffic control plans

    + Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

    + Following verbal and written instructions.

    Physical Demands:

    + Constant physical effort, including extended standing for at least 8 hour shift

    + Intermittent sitting; continuous walking on construction site.

    + Climb intermittently

    + Regularly twist, bend, stoop, kneel and crouch to perform duties

    + Regularly reach above shoulder level

    + Regularly push/pull objects

    + Must be physically able to repetitively lift and carry at least 50 pounds on a regular basis, and sometimes heavier weight.

    + Agility, balance, and manual dexterity, as well as arm-hand steadiness

    + Able to hear and respond to oral instructions in a noisy environment.

    + Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach and grasp with hands and arms.

    + Excellent hand, eye and foot coordination.

    + Good vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

    Education / Experience:

    + High School diploma or general education degree (GED)

    + Two (2) years' experience in traffic control positions.

    + Active Driver's license

    + Advanced MOT certification

    Work Environment:

    Regularly works in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and humidity. Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions and vibration. Handles various toxic products such as epoxies, grouts, sealers, paints, and cleaners, with exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risks of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

    Other Duties:

    Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

    Jr. Davis Construction Company, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is actively recruiting women and minorities for all open positions.

    Powered by JazzHR
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right traffic control specialist for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your traffic control specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit traffic control specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting traffic control specialists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    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 control specialist

    Once you have selected a candidate for the traffic control specialist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new traffic control specialist. 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 control specialist?

Recruiting traffic control specialists involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for traffic control specialists is $42,315 in the US. However, the cost of traffic control specialist hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a traffic control specialist for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $12 and $33 an hour.

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