Traffic signal technician vs traffic investigator

The differences between traffic signal technicians and traffic investigators 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 signal technician and a traffic investigator. Additionally, a traffic investigator has an average salary of $48,535, which is higher than the $45,817 average annual salary of a traffic signal technician.

The top three skills for a traffic signal technician include CDL, IMSA and traffic control devices. The most important skills for a traffic investigator are patrol, traffic safety, and physical evidence.

Traffic signal technician vs traffic investigator overview

	Traffic Signal Technician	Traffic Investigator
Yearly salary	$45,817	$48,535
Hourly rate	$22.03	$23.33
Growth rate	10%	3%
Number of jobs	8,006	6,113
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Traffic signal technician vs traffic investigator salary

Traffic signal technicians and traffic investigators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Traffic Signal Technician	Traffic Investigator
Average salary	$45,817	$48,535
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $83,000	Between $33,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Santa Monica, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Jacobs Engineering Group	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between traffic signal technician and traffic investigator education

There are a few differences between a traffic signal technician and a traffic investigator in terms of educational background:

	Traffic Signal Technician	Traffic Investigator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of Pittsburgh	Savannah State University

Traffic signal technician vs traffic investigator demographics

Here are the differences between traffic signal technicians' and traffic investigators' demographics:

	Traffic Signal Technician	Traffic Investigator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 97.9% Female, 2.1%	Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 7.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 52.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between traffic signal technician and traffic investigator duties and responsibilities

Traffic signal technician example responsibilities.

Used UNIX base analysis systems to accomplish all tasks.
Work with team members to troubleshoot fail systems by isolating faults.
Operate and perform preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) on assign vehicles.
Install, operate and perform PMCS on power generators, and review other PMCSs for completeness.
Calibrate and configure the replaced or faulty equipment using signal generators, multimeters, RF generators, and oscilloscopes.
Perform collection, identification and signals analysis of all communications activity in support of critical DoD missions.

Traffic investigator example responsibilities.

Draft and execute subpoenas, search warrants, arrest warrants, and surveillance activities.
Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the elderly and mentally handicap citizens residing in Medicaid or state operate facilities.
Skil with the use and maintenance of firearms.
Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the elderly and mentally handicap citizens residing in Medicaid or state operate facilities.

Traffic signal technician vs traffic investigator skills

Common traffic signal technician skills

CDL, 15%
IMSA, 9%
Traffic Control Devices, 8%
DOT, 8%
Hand Tools, 6%
Preventative Maintenance, 6%

Common traffic investigator skills

Patrol, 17%
Traffic Safety, 16%
Physical Evidence, 16%
Criminal Investigations, 10%
Traffic Accidents, 9%
Traffic Control, 8%

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Traffic Signal Technician
Traffic Signal Technician vs Traffic Investigator

Updated January 8, 2025

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