How to hire a traffic operator

How to hire a traffic operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step traffic operator 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 operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new traffic operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a traffic operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the traffic operator you need to hire. Certain traffic operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a traffic operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a traffic operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of traffic operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Traffic Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Traffic Operator		$11-25
   Fleet Manager	A fleet manager is responsible for monitoring the delivery processes, including the maintenance and registration of delivery vehicles, recruiting delivery drivers, and regularly inspecting the vehicle's engine to boost optimal performance for efficient deliveries. Fleet managers purchase the vehicles, negotiating contracts with trusted manufacturers, and try to keep minimal costs without compromising quality... Show more	$14-37
   Airport Manager	An airport manager oversees all of an airport's activities. They are responsible for managing flights, communicating with all pilots on takeoff and landing, coordinating airport employees, and ensuring passengers' comfort... Show more	$13-29

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Traffic Management
   • CCTV
   • Incident Management
   • DOT
   • Traffic Control
   • Data Collection
   • Incident Response
   • Traffic Flow
   • Data Entry
   • Highway Patrol
   • TMC
   • Rangers
   • Control Room

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage busy company switchboard, operating PBX or private branch exchange systems to facilitate connections.
   • Dispatch safety service patrol along the interstate to assist with disable vehicles, accidents, or any lane closures.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Train and recruit transportation personnel ensuring compliance with numerous transportation and DoD regulations.

   More traffic operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your traffic operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A traffic operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, traffic operators' average salary in florida is 40% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level traffic operators 55% less than senior-level traffic operators.
   • Certifications. A traffic operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a traffic operator's salary.

   Average traffic operator salary

   $36,610yearly

   $17.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level traffic operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average traffic operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Kansas	$42,223	$20
   2	New York	$40,620	$20
   3	North Carolina	$39,003	$19
   4	Pennsylvania	$37,654	$18
   5	Minnesota	$37,255	$18
   6	Texas	$37,140	$18
   7	Arizona	$36,983	$18
   8	Nebraska	$36,865	$18
   9	Missouri	$35,747	$17
   10	Colorado	$35,240	$17
   11	California	$33,706	$16
   12	Virginia	$33,026	$16
   13	South Carolina	$31,188	$15
   14	Florida	$30,707	$15
   15	Georgia	$30,606	$15
   16	Louisiana	$30,446	$15

   Average traffic operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Trafigura	$57,248	$27.52
   2	AECOM	$50,386	$24.22	39
   3	Analog Devices	$49,904	$23.99	4
   4	Kimley-Horn	$45,522	$21.89	30
   5	Fastenal	$44,913	$21.59	3
   6	Parsons	$43,895	$21.10	19
   7	Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania	$43,287	$20.81
   8	HNTB	$43,164	$20.75	11
   9	HDR	$42,562	$20.46	6
   10	City of Topeka	$42,224	$20.30	1
   11	Gannett Fleming	$41,425	$19.92	12
   12	Live Nation Entertainment	$40,606	$19.52	5
   13	Serco	$39,315	$18.90	44
   14	State of West Virginia	$38,648	$18.58	8
   15	House of Blues	$37,895	$18.22
   16	Pennsylvania State Treasurer	$37,595	$18.07	6
   17	Serco	$37,595	$18.07
   18	Pixelogic Media	$37,595	$18.07	2
   19	Roy Jorgensen Associates	$37,590	$18.07	5
   20	State of Arizona	$37,129	$17.85	2

4. Writing a traffic operator job description

   A good traffic operator 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 operator job description:

   Traffic operator job description example

   NOTE: THIS IS A REPOSTING OF CS-2022-28302-10850. IF YOU APPLIED UNDER THE PREVIOUS POSTING WHICH WAS OPEN FROM 7/25/2022 TO 8/8/2022, YOU CANNOT SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION.
   
   The Department of Transportation Engineering District 11 Traffic Unit is looking for a qualified and motivated individual to fill a full-time temporary position in our 24-hour Regional Traffic Management Center. Apply today for this exciting career opportunity!
   
   The selected applicant will be part of the Western Regional Traffic Management Center and will utilize Advanced Traffic Management Software (ATMS) for the management of traffic along the covered Intestate and Expressways. Regional Traffic Management Center Operators monitor CCTV, 800 MHz radio communications, police and fire scanners, incident detector devices, and assess, evaluate and coordinate communications for real-time traffic and weather conditions. They provide travelers with information by activating Highway Advisory Radio devices and Dynamic and Variable Message Boards. They also dispatch Service Patrol Vehicle activities by directing them to incidents, activate AMBER and MEPA alerts when initiated by the Pennsylvania State Police, monitor weather situations and construction activity, and track and record all incident information.
   
   Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
   Work Schedule and Additional Information:
   
   * Full-time, temporary employment.
   * This position does not offer benefits.
   * Work schedule varies. The Traffic Management Center is a 24/7 center. Hours and Workdays to be determined.
   * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
   * You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
   
   * One year of experience evaluating and coordinating information related to traffic data, incidents or conditions
   
   Other Requirements:
   
   * You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
   * You must be able to perform essential job functions.
   
   How to Apply:
   
   * Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
   * If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
   * Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position.
   
   Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
   
   * 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
   
   The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right traffic operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with traffic operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit traffic operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting traffic operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 operator

   Once you've found the traffic operator 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them 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 operator?