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The differences between traffic control specialists and traffic analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a traffic control specialist and a traffic analyst. Additionally, a traffic analyst has an average salary of $62,962, which is higher than the $42,315 average annual salary of a traffic control specialist.
The top three skills for a traffic control specialist include air traffic control, airspace and AWP. The most important skills for a traffic analyst are logistics, DOT, and forwarders.
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $42,315 | $62,962 |
| Hourly rate | $20.34 | $30.27 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 34,959 | 11,504 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A traffic analyst is responsible for providing traffic insights and developing strategies to optimize the organization's daily operations. Even though the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or industry of employment, it usually includes conducting extensive research and analyses, developing action plans according to project goals and daily objectives, conducting risk assessments, and maintaining records. Through their research findings, a traffic analyst creates strategies and recommends solutions, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Traffic control specialists and traffic analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Analyst | |
| Average salary | $42,315 | $62,962 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $70,000 | Between $45,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | Virginia Beach, VA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Washington |
| Best paying company | Serco | WebMD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a traffic control specialist and a traffic analyst in terms of educational background:
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Business |
| Most common college | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between traffic control specialists' and traffic analysts' demographics:
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.2% Female, 28.8% | Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.7% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |