53 Series · SOC 53-6041
Traffic Technicians Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $59,090
- Median / year
- $85,130
- Top 10% earn
- +3.7%
- Growth '23–'33
- 7,860
- US workers
Traffic Technicians earn a median of $59,090 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $59,090, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $39,090 (10th percentile) to $85,130 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 7,860 US workers. California pays the most ($79,110), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Traffic Technicians earn a median of $59,090, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 47% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Transportation and Material Moving, it ranks #18 of 50 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 3.7% by 2033.
- $59,090
- Median annual wage
- Top 53%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #18 of 50
- in Transportation and Material Moving
- 2.2×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: California at $79,110. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Traffic Technicians (SOC 53-6041) pays a national median of $59,090 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $39,090 at the 10th percentile to $85,130 at the 90th, with a mean of $62,050 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 7,860 Americans work in this occupation across 36 reporting states and 47 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +3.7% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 800 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of C for this role, with a fatality rate of 17.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 4.8 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. California pays the highest state median at $79,110, which is +34% above the national figure. The top metro is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $92,710 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
Median Salary
$59,090
per year
Median Hourly
$28.41/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$62,050
average
Employment
7,860
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Traffic Technicians pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$59,090 Bottom 47% higher than 47% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 53-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Traffic Technicians; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 25 53-series occupations with growth data, Traffic Technicians sits on the slower-growing side at +3.7% growth and $59,090 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+3.7%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
800
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings →Moderate Risk
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
17.5/100K
Injury Rate
4.8/100
Danger Index
28/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Traffic Technicians roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Knowledge Areas
Key Tasks
- ▸ Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
- ▸ Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
- ▸ Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
- ▸ Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas.
- ▸ Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment.
- ▸ Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
- ▸ Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.
- ▸ Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
- ▸ Lay out pavement markings for striping crews.
- ▸ Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$39,090
25th Percentile
$46,440
Median
$59,090
75th Percentile
$75,850
90th Percentile
$85,130
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
View all 36 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $79,110 | +34% above national |
| 2 | Minnesota | $77,810 | +32% above national |
| 3 | Washington | $71,960 | +22% above national |
| 4 | New York | $71,670 | +21% above national |
| 5 | Indiana | $71,000 | +20% above national |
| 6 | Illinois | $70,970 | +20% above national |
| 7 | Iowa | $68,100 | +15% above national |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $65,610 | +11% above national |
| 9 | New Jersey | $64,240 | +9% above national |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $63,780 | +8% above national |
| 11 | Virginia | $62,270 | +5% above national |
| 12 | Utah | $61,970 | +5% above national |
| 13 | Ohio | $61,460 | +4% above national |
| 14 | Nebraska | $61,380 | +4% above national |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $60,750 | +3% above national |
| 16 | Maryland | $60,650 | +3% above national |
| 17 | Arizona | $59,980 | +2% above national |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $58,940 | same as national |
| 19 | Idaho | $57,180 | 3% below national |
| 20 | South Carolina | $57,080 | 3% below national |
| 21 | North Carolina | $56,800 | 4% below national |
| 22 | Missouri | $56,720 | 4% below national |
| 23 | West Virginia | $53,400 | 10% below national |
| 24 | Nevada | $53,100 | 10% below national |
| 25 | Alabama | $52,060 | 12% below national |
| 26 | Florida | $51,220 | 13% below national |
| 27 | Connecticut | $50,400 | 15% below national |
| 28 | Wyoming | $50,120 | 15% below national |
| 29 | Arkansas | $49,550 | 16% below national |
| 30 | New Mexico | $49,280 | 17% below national |
| 31 | Texas | $48,770 | 17% below national |
| 32 | Georgia | $48,110 | 19% below national |
| 33 | Kansas | $47,100 | 20% below national |
| 34 | Tennessee | $44,970 | 24% below national |
| 35 | Louisiana | $42,710 | 28% below national |
| 36 | Michigan | $37,890 | 36% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 47 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,710 | +57% above national |
| 2 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,100 | +44% above national |
| 3 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $84,650 | +43% above national |
| 4 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $81,910 | +39% above national |
| 5 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,640 | +33% above national |
| 6 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,180 | +32% above national |
| 7 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $77,540 | +31% above national |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,420 | +28% above national |
| 9 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $70,100 | +19% above national |
| 10 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $67,450 | +14% above national |
| 11 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $67,010 | +13% above national |
| 12 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $66,040 | +12% above national |
| 13 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $65,190 | +10% above national |
| 14 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $63,230 | +7% above national |
| 15 | Boise City, ID | $62,710 | +6% above national |
| 16 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $62,300 | +5% above national |
| 17 | Toledo, OH | $60,780 | +3% above national |
| 18 | Oklahoma City, OK | $60,750 | +3% above national |
| 19 | Birmingham, AL | $60,730 | +3% above national |
| 20 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $58,820 | same as national |
| 21 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $57,130 | 3% below national |
| 22 | Columbia, SC | $57,080 | 3% below national |
| 23 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $56,720 | 4% below national |
| 24 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $56,470 | 4% below national |
| 25 | Springfield, MO | $55,500 | 6% below national |
| 26 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $53,500 | 9% below national |
| 27 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $53,090 | 10% below national |
| 28 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $52,520 | 11% below national |
| 29 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $52,430 | 11% below national |
| 30 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $51,510 | 13% below national |
| 31 | New Haven, CT | $51,120 | 13% below national |
| 32 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $51,000 | 14% below national |
| 33 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $50,300 | 15% below national |
| 34 | Albuquerque, NM | $48,120 | 19% below national |
| 35 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,670 | 19% below national |
| 36 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $45,620 | 23% below national |
| 37 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $45,580 | 23% below national |
| 38 | Wichita, KS | $45,210 | 23% below national |
| 39 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $44,860 | 24% below national |
| 40 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,780 | 24% below national |
| 41 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $44,690 | 24% below national |
| 42 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $44,250 | 25% below national |
| 43 | Knoxville, TN | $44,090 | 25% below national |
| 44 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $37,890 | 36% below national |
| 45 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $36,140 | 39% below national |
| 46 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $35,450 | 40% below national |
| 47 | Akron, OH | $34,670 | 41% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 53 (transportation and material moving) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Traffic Technicians make? ▼
What state pays Traffic Technicians the most? ▼
What education do you need to become a Traffic Technicians? ▼
How dangerous is being a Traffic Technicians? ▼
Is Traffic Technicians a good career? ▼
How does Traffic Technicians pay vary by state? ▼
Which metro areas pay the most for Traffic Technicians? ▼
What to do with this data
How to use Traffic Technicians pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $75,850/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: California leads at $79,110/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.