Traffic control technician vs traffic investigator

The differences between traffic control technicians and traffic investigators 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 investigator. Additionally, a traffic investigator has an average salary of $48,535, 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 investigator are patrol, traffic safety, and physical evidence.

Traffic control technician vs traffic investigator overview

	Traffic Control Technician	Traffic Investigator
Yearly salary	$40,714	$48,535
Hourly rate	$19.57	$23.33
Growth rate	1%	3%
Number of jobs	58,811	6,113
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Traffic control technician vs traffic investigator salary

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

	Traffic Control Technician	Traffic Investigator
Average salary	$40,714	$48,535
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $60,000	Between $33,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Richmond, VA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	City of San Diego	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between traffic control technician and traffic investigator education

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

	Traffic Control Technician	Traffic Investigator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Savannah State University

Traffic control technician vs traffic investigator demographics

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

	Traffic Control Technician	Traffic Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%
Race ratio	Black 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, 12.5% Unknown, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 52.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between traffic control technician and traffic investigator 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 investigator example responsibilities.

Draft and execute subpoenas, search warrants, arrest warrants, and surveillance activities.
Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the elderly and mentally handicap citizens residing in Medicaid or state operate facilities.
Skil with the use and maintenance of firearms.
Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the elderly and mentally handicap citizens residing in Medicaid or state operate facilities.

Traffic control technician vs traffic investigator 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 investigator skills

Patrol, 17%
Traffic Safety, 16%
Physical Evidence, 16%
Criminal Investigations, 10%
Traffic Accidents, 9%
Traffic Control, 8%

Traffic Control Technician vs. similar jobs

Traffic Control Technician related careers

Traffic Control Technician related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Traffic Control Technician
Traffic Control Technician vs Traffic Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs