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The differences between traffic control specialists and traffic signal technicians 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 signal technician. Additionally, a traffic signal technician has an average salary of $45,817, 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 signal technician are CDL, IMSA, and traffic control devices.
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,315 | $45,817 |
| Hourly rate | $20.34 | $22.03 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 34,959 | 8,006 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| 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.
Traffic 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. They are responsible for conducting diagnostic testing for repairs, locating utilities, and installing traffic control for work zones. Traffic Signal Technicians also manage maintenance records, operate equipment that is motorized, and reports project progress to the supervisor.
Traffic control specialists and traffic signal technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,315 | $45,817 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $70,000 | Between $25,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairbanks, AK | Santa Monica, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Serco | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a traffic control specialist and a traffic signal technician in terms of educational background:
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | University of Pittsburgh |
Here are the differences between traffic control specialists' and traffic signal technicians' demographics:
| Traffic Control Specialist | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.2% Female, 28.8% | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% |
| 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, 14.9% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 6.7% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |