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Traffic control technician vs traffic analyst

The differences between traffic control technicians 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 technician and a traffic analyst. Additionally, a traffic analyst has an average salary of $62,962, which is higher than the $40,714 average annual salary of a traffic control technician.

The top three skills for a traffic control technician include DOT, safety regulations and traffic cones. The most important skills for a traffic analyst are logistics, DOT, and forwarders.

Traffic control technician vs traffic analyst overview

Traffic Control TechnicianTraffic Analyst
Yearly salary$40,714$62,962
Hourly rate$19.57$30.27
Growth rate1%19%
Number of jobs58,81111,504
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a traffic control technician do?

The job of a Traffic Control Technician is to make sure construction projects are not disturbed or hindered by pedestrians and motorists. As a construction laborer with extensive training in fabrication, repair, and installation of traffic control signs and devices, your key role is to install barricades and markers to control traffic passing nearby and in work zones. Your job is to direct pedestrians and vehicular traffic to another route to ensure the safety of workers in the construction zone and the safety of those passing.

What does a traffic analyst do?

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 technician vs traffic analyst salary

Traffic control technicians and traffic analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Traffic Control TechnicianTraffic Analyst
Average salary$40,714$62,962
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $60,000Between $45,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyCity of San DiegoWebMD
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between traffic control technician and traffic analyst education

There are a few differences between a traffic control technician and a traffic analyst in terms of educational background:

Traffic Control TechnicianTraffic Analyst
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Traffic control technician vs traffic analyst demographics

Here are the differences between traffic control technicians' and traffic analysts' demographics:

Traffic Control TechnicianTraffic Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 84.2% Female, 15.8%Male, 54.0% Female, 46.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 5.5% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between traffic control technician and traffic analyst duties and responsibilities

Traffic control technician example responsibilities.

  • Install the load switches and loop detectors.
  • Operate light to medium size equipment, some which may require a valid CDL.
  • Operate various heavy equipment; bucket trucks, truck cranes, small excavators, forklifts, and bore rigs.
  • Maintain airspace boundaries and issue traffic alerts as necessary, providing mission coordination assistance, and disseminate weather information as required.
  • Set up devices including but not limit to: cones, barricades, signs according to MUTCD guidelines.

Traffic analyst example 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.
  • Show more

Traffic control technician vs traffic analyst skills

Common traffic control technician skills
  • DOT, 21%
  • Safety Regulations, 20%
  • Traffic Cones, 12%
  • Road Signs, 9%
  • Traffic Control Devices, 7%
  • ATSSA, 6%
Common traffic analyst skills
  • Logistics, 16%
  • DOT, 9%
  • Forwarders, 8%
  • AES, 8%
  • Freight Carriers, 6%
  • SQL, 5%

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