Traffic controller vs construction flagger

The differences between traffic controllers and construction flaggers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a traffic controller has an average salary of $39,099, which is higher than the $33,514 average annual salary of a construction flagger.

The top three skills for a traffic controller include construction sites, DOT and safety regulations. The most important skills for a construction flagger are safety rules, traffic cones, and warning devices.

Traffic controller vs construction flagger overview

	Traffic Controller	Construction Flagger
Yearly salary	$39,099	$33,514
Hourly rate	$18.80	$16.11
Growth rate	1%	1%
Number of jobs	17,859	29,023
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 44%
Average age	38	53
Years of experience	-	-

Traffic controller vs construction flagger salary

Traffic controllers and construction flaggers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Traffic Controller	Construction Flagger
Average salary	$39,099	$33,514
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $63,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Hartford, CT	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Siemens	-
Best paying industry	Non Profits	-

Differences between traffic controller and construction flagger education

There are a few differences between a traffic controller and a construction flagger in terms of educational background:

	Traffic Controller	Construction Flagger
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 41%	High School Diploma, 44%
Most common major	Business	General Studies
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	-

Traffic controller vs construction flagger demographics

Here are the differences between traffic controllers' and construction flaggers' demographics:

	Traffic Controller	Construction Flagger
Average age	38	53
Gender ratio	Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8%	Male, 58.9% Female, 41.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 5.4% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 2.4% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	4%

Differences between traffic controller and construction flagger duties and responsibilities

Traffic controller example responsibilities.

Lead team providing cargo, personal property and passenger movements for DoD personnel.
Provide support for traffic control set-ups within ATSSA compliance and regulations.
Control air and grind traffic movement for private, commercial, and military aircraft in IFR and VFR conditions.
Ensure compliance with FAA, USAF, ANG and all local directives.
Register traffic controller, certify in CPR and first aid.
Direct staff training and the FAA qualification of facility personnel.

Construction flagger example responsibilities.

Lead suppression retrofit crews in several hi-rise and commercial projects.
Experience mason and insulator, and extensive plumbing and electrical experience and metal roof installations.
Set up devices including but not limit to: cones, barricades, signs according to MUTCD guidelines.

Traffic controller vs construction flagger skills

Common traffic controller skills

Construction Sites, 13%
DOT, 10%
Safety Regulations, 10%
Safety Procedures, 7%
Direct Traffic, 7%
TMA, 6%

Common construction flagger skills

Safety Rules, 43%
Traffic Cones, 25%
Warning Devices, 15%
DOT, 5%
Safety Regulations, 3%
Traffic Flow, 3%

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Traffic Controller
Traffic Controller vs Construction Flagger

Updated January 8, 2025

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