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.
Traffic control technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real traffic control technician resumes:
- 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 control technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Traffic Control Technicians are proficient in DOT, Safety Regulations, and Traffic Cones. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Concentration skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Traffic Control Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DOT, 21%
Installed temporary and permanent traffic control devices within DOT guidelines to divert traffic and ensure public safety.
- Safety Regulations, 20%
Set up sites direct traffic while maintaining safety regulations
- Traffic Cones, 12%
Open and close gate(s) to access staging area, this requires moving traffic cones or plastic traffic drums.
- Road Signs, 9%
Set up road signs in work zones*Maintain a safe work zone
- Traffic Control Devices, 7%
Set up traffic control devices such as: cones, signs, barricades, water-filled k-rail, arrow trailers, etc.
- ATSSA, 6%
Close traffic lanes and roads per state regulations American Traffic Safety Services (ATSSA) certified Traffic Control Technician
Most traffic control technicians use their skills in "dot," "safety regulations," and "traffic cones" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential traffic control technician responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a traffic control technician to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "air traffic controllers must be able to give clear, concise instructions, listen carefully to pilots’ requests, and respond by speaking clearly in english." Additionally, a traffic control technician resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "conducted maintenance management, site survey, and installation of air traffic control electronic communications systems. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for traffic control technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how traffic control technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "controllers must be able to do arithmetic accurately and quickly." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a traffic control technician: "train new hires in the geometry qc group. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain traffic control technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a traffic control technician rely on this skill, as "controllers must be able to understand complex situations, review changing circumstances, and provide pilots with appropriate alternatives." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what traffic control technicians do: "conflict resolution between aircraft with assigned airspace. "
Organizational skills. Another common skill required for traffic control technician responsibilities is "organizational skills." This skill comes up in the duties of traffic control technicians all the time, as "controllers must be able to coordinate the actions of multiple flights and to prioritize tasks, because they may be required to guide several pilots at the same time." An excerpt from a real traffic control technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a traffic control technician does: "prepare powerpoint and multimedia presentations to promote organizational learning throughout the h&p; land drilling fleet. "
The three companies that hire the most traffic control technicians are:
- RoadSafe Traffic Systems89 traffic control technicians jobs
- NPL Construction Co.3 traffic control technicians jobs
- National Trench Safety3 traffic control technicians jobs
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Compare different traffic control technicians
Traffic control technician vs. Traffic investigator
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, traffic control technician responsibilities require skills like "dot," "safety regulations," "traffic cones," and "road signs." Meanwhile a typical traffic investigator has skills in areas such as "patrol," "traffic safety," "physical evidence," and "criminal investigations." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that traffic investigators earn slightly differ from traffic control technicians. In particular, traffic investigators are 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a traffic control technician. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Traffic control technician vs. Traffic analyst
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, traffic control technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "safety regulations," "traffic cones," "road signs," and "traffic control devices." Meanwhile, a traffic analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "logistics," "import export," "forwarders," and "aes." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Traffic analysts may earn a higher salary than traffic control technicians, but traffic analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $70,615. On the other hand, traffic control technicians receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $40,582.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Traffic analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than traffic control technicians. In fact, they're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Traffic control technician vs. Engineering planning survey technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from traffic control technician resumes include skills like "dot," "safety regulations," "traffic cones," and "road signs," whereas an engineering planning survey technician is more likely to list skills in "autocad," "construction inspection," "osha," and "meeting timelines. "
Engineering planning survey technicians typically earn higher educational levels compared to traffic control technicians. Specifically, they're 10.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Traffic control technician vs. Technician
Even though a few skill sets overlap between traffic control technicians and technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a traffic control technician might have more use for skills like "dot," "safety regulations," "traffic cones," and "road signs." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of technicians require skills like "patients," "customer service," "patient care," and "hand tools. "
The telecommunication industry tends to pay the highest salaries for technicians, with average annual pay of $46,660. Comparatively, the highest traffic control technician annual salary comes from the government industry.The average resume of technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to traffic control technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.Types of traffic control technician
Updated January 8, 2025
