How to hire a traffic manager

How to hire a traffic manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step traffic manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a traffic manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a traffic manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a traffic manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect traffic manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of traffic managers.

   Type of Traffic Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Traffic Manager		$17-49
   Distribution Supervisor	A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions... Show more	$19-46
   Logistics Supervisor	A logistics supervisor is an individual tasked to oversee goods shipment and delivery in organizations. Supervisors manage the planning, organization, and implementation of the company's systems... Show more	$22-42

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Traffic Management
   • Account Executives
   • FAA
   • PowerPoint
   • Traffic Logs
   • LTL
   • Payroll
   • Inventory Control
   • Production Orders
   • Account Management
   • Traffic System
   • Status Reports
   • Traffic Operations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and schedule all FM commercials for national affiliates.
   • Manage and schedule all FM commercials per customers' contract drive times.
   • Manage all inbound material which include part shortages, EC changes, QC inspection parts and sequence material.
   • Train and supervise coordinators and junior AE s. create job number tracking system for print/broadcast events.
   • Provide oversight to all computer functions relative to the importation of vessels and the release and shipment of vehicles.
   • Perform continuous analysis of TMS, operation and business process for continuous improvement.

   More traffic manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the traffic manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A traffic manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a traffic manager in Oklahoma may be lower than in Virginia, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level traffic manager. Additionally, a traffic manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average traffic manager salary

   $61,734yearly

   $29.68 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level traffic manager salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average traffic manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$75,333	$36
   2	New York	$74,254	$36
   3	Massachusetts	$70,613	$34
   4	Maryland	$67,884	$33
   5	Washington	$66,905	$32
   6	Arizona	$65,736	$32
   7	Minnesota	$64,178	$31
   8	Texas	$62,514	$30
   9	Alaska	$62,381	$30
   10	Idaho	$59,363	$29
   11	Colorado	$58,227	$28
   12	Georgia	$57,588	$28
   13	Florida	$52,382	$25

   Average traffic manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	AbbVie	$113,825	$54.72
   2	Agilent Technologies	$103,646	$49.83	2
   3	DeWitt LLP Law Firm	$85,362	$41.04	2
   4	Abbott	$85,335	$41.03	5
   5	Alere	$80,979	$38.93
   6	Urban One	$80,651	$38.77
   7	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz	$80,003	$38.46
   8	ECMD	$72,574	$34.89
   9	Boston University	$71,478	$34.36
   10	Michael Baker	$71,023	$34.15	2
   11	EHE	$70,501	$33.89
   12	Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC	$70,485	$33.89
   13	MC3	$70,372	$33.83
   14	IAP Worldwide Services	$69,118	$33.23
   15	Serco	$68,880	$33.12	51
   16	HNTB	$68,533	$32.95	6
   17	Noah & Co.	$68,453	$32.91
   18	Day & Zimmermann	$68,292	$32.83	1
   19	Air National Guard	$68,196	$32.79
   20	Serco	$68,177	$32.78

4. Writing a traffic manager job description

   A good traffic manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a traffic manager job description:

   Traffic manager job description example

   At Materion, everyone is included, respected and offered opportunity to grow. Join us!
   
   Excited to grow your career?
   Under the direction of the Senor Site Leader, the Plant Traffic Manager is responsible for managing the physical transportation activities of goods arriving to and departing from the Elmore plant in a safe and efficient manner. This individual will manage all Elmore shipping and warehouse personnel, to ensure orders are shipped on-time
   
   You will have the opportunity to:
   A safety and quality-focused person willing to drive continuous improvement in the Elmore Warehouse and Shipping DepartmentsEffectively manage a mix of hourly and salaried non-exempt personnel to ensure business needs are met.Work closely with Customer Service, Service Centers, Production Planning, Procurement, Bulk Operations, Strip Operations, High Be Metals, Outside Vendors, Freight Forwards, and Third Party Providers to ensure on-time shipments and accurate product receipts. Drive and monitor consistency within the supply chain (shipping/receiving, carrier compliance, product loss, international requirements, etc.).Work with third party providers and outside systems, ensuring the accurate routing of Materion's orders and the timely distribution of shipping data.Work with international freight forwarders to coordinate Elmore's imports and exports.Proactively manage material handling equipment as it pertains to maintenance, proper utilization for staffing, handling product weight, and OSHA requirements.Maintain and develop formal safety procedures and document performance standards in accordance with Materion's EH&S management programs and practices.Assist department managers with goal setting and department metrics.Performs other duties as assigned
   
   REQUIREMENTS:
   College education preferred Preferably 5 years of Shipping/Warehousing/Service Center/Supervisory experience within a manufacturing environment An understanding of dock operations, asset reconciliation and/or warehouse operations Must have a working knowledge of SAP particularly in regard to shipments and ShipERP.Knowledge of Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) A history of continual process improvement and change management Strong analytical skills Proficient in ExcelA prove track record of developing employees Continuous education is important. The individual must be willing to attend outside training as it relates to Logistics, Global Trade, Safety and Government Requirements.
   
   The selection of the person to be hired for this position is contingent on the candidate having export compliance eligibility for access to U.S. controlled technology which comes under the licensing jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of State, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
   
   The candidate selected will have to qualify as either a U.S. citizen, a U.S. National, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a Person Admitted into the U.S. as an Asylee or Refugee., a National of a country that is not prohibited from having access to U.S. controlled technology (via a letter of assurance), or a Person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction.
   
   The selection of the person to be hired for this position is contingent on the candidate having export compliance eligibility for access to U.S. controlled technology which comes under the licensing jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of State, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
   
   The candidate selected will have to qualify as either a U.S. citizen, a U.S. National, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a Person Admitted into the U.S. as an Asylee or Refugee., a National of a country that is not prohibited from having access to U.S. controlled technology (via a letter of assurance), or a Person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on Materion's determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with Materion's business requirements.
   
   Materion Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to not unlawfully discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also the Company's policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.
   
   Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
   
   Please provide complete information. An incomplete application may affect your consideration for employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right traffic manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your traffic manager job on Zippia to find and recruit traffic manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit traffic managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic manager

   Once you've found the traffic manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a traffic manager?