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The differences between traffic control technicians 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 technician and a traffic signal technician. Additionally, a traffic signal technician has an average salary of $45,817, 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 signal technician are CDL, IMSA, and traffic control devices.
| Traffic Control Technician | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,714 | $45,817 |
| Hourly rate | $19.57 | $22.03 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 58,811 | 8,006 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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 technicians and traffic signal technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Traffic Control Technician | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,714 | $45,817 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $60,000 | Between $25,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, VA | Santa Monica, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | City of San Diego | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Construction |
There are a few differences between a traffic control technician and a traffic signal technician in terms of educational background:
| Traffic Control Technician | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 40% | Associate Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pittsburgh |
Here are the differences between traffic control technicians' and traffic signal technicians' demographics:
| Traffic Control Technician | Traffic Signal Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8% | Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1% |
| 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, 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% |