What does a traffic technician do?
Traffic technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real traffic technician resumes:
- Lead team providing cargo, personal property and passenger movements for DoD personnel.
- Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
- Used CarteGraph software to track traffic signal and street light assets.
Traffic technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Traffic Technicians are proficient in Traffic Control Devices, Traffic Data, and Traffic Safety. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration skills, Math skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Traffic Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Traffic Control Devices, 14%
Perform and document preventive maintenance inspections on traffic signals and electronic traffic control devices.
- Traffic Data, 10%
Set up traffic counting equipment on and alongside the roadway to collect traffic data approaching an intersection.
- Traffic Safety, 8%
Drive and set up and pick up cones and traffic safety devices.
- Street Lights, 8%
Build and maintain traffic signals, street lights and construction of underground power routes.
- Construction Projects, 5%
Designed and reviewed the traffic control plans for most of the City's construction projects.
- Autocad, 5%
Used AutoCAD to create signal layouts and as built designs for intersections.
Most traffic technicians use their skills in "traffic control devices," "traffic data," and "traffic safety" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential traffic technician responsibilities here:
Math skills. Many traffic technician duties rely on math skills. "controllers must be able to do arithmetic accurately and quickly," so a traffic technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways traffic technician responsibilities rely on math skills: "train new hires in the geometry qc group. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of traffic technicians is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday traffic technician duties, as "controllers must be able to understand complex situations, review changing circumstances, and provide pilots with appropriate alternatives." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "career management, conflict resolution, stress management, customer satisfaction workshop, iso 9000 general overview. "
Communication skills. A big part of what traffic technicians do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to traffic technician responsibilities because "air traffic controllers must be able to give clear, concise instructions, listen carefully to pilots’ requests, and respond by speaking clearly in english." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical traffic technician tasks: "assisted in communication dispatch between department assets and local emergency responders for traffic accidents and all interstate safety issues. "
The three companies that hire the most traffic technicians are:
- M.C. Dean6 traffic technicians jobs
- PeopleReady3 traffic technicians jobs
- AECOM1 traffic technicians jobs
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Compare different traffic technicians
Traffic technician vs. Traffic controller
The primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control. They direct traffic in disruption areas like accidents, planned maintenance, building sites, and roadworks. They have to direct pedestrians for safety maintenance around road conditions and changed vehicles. They need to be keen on directing traffic flow.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between traffic technicians and traffic controller. For instance, traffic technician responsibilities require skills such as "traffic operations," "traffic data," "street lights," and "autocad." Whereas a traffic controller is skilled in "safety regulations," "safety procedures," "tma," and "road signs." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Traffic controllers tend to make the most money working in the non profits industry, where they earn an average salary of $58,262. In contrast, traffic technicians make the biggest average salary, $42,690, in the government industry.On average, traffic controllers reach similar levels of education than traffic technicians. Traffic controllers are 1.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Traffic technician vs. Engineering planning survey technician
A traffic control specialist is in charge of managing and overseeing traffic conditions during roadworks, ensuring the safety of motorists and the smooth workflow of construction. Their responsibilities typically revolve around devising strategies to direct traffic, participating in installing and removing traffic control equipment such as barricades and cones, assisting motorists by providing alternative routes, and removing any road obstructions as needed. Moreover, as a traffic control specialist, it is essential to implement all the safety regulations and policies, maintaining a safe and productive work environment for everyone.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real traffic technician resumes. While traffic technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "traffic control devices," "traffic operations," "traffic data," and "traffic safety," engineering planning survey technicians use skills like "construction inspection," "osha," "meeting timelines," and "hot mix."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Engineering planning survey technicians tend to reach higher levels of education than traffic technicians. In fact, they're 9.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Traffic technician vs. Traffic control specialist
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 technician resumes include skills like "traffic operations," "traffic data," "traffic safety," and "street lights," whereas a traffic control specialist is more likely to list skills in "air traffic control," "airspace," "awp," and "en. "
Traffic control specialists make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $55,835. On the other hand, traffic technicians are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $42,690.traffic control specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to traffic technicians. Specifically, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Traffic technician vs. Traffic investigator
Even though a few skill sets overlap between traffic technicians and traffic investigators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a traffic technician might have more use for skills like "traffic control devices," "traffic operations," "traffic data," and "street lights." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of traffic investigators require skills like "patrol," "physical evidence," "criminal investigations," and "law enforcement equipment. "
Traffic investigators reach similar levels of education compared to traffic technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of traffic technician
Updated January 8, 2025
