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Traffic Technicians
Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Other titles employers use
Field Traffic Investigator · Traffic Analyst · Traffic Control Technician · Traffic Investigator · Traffic Signal Technician (TST) · Traffic Survey Technician · Traffic Technician · Transportation Planning Technician
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
3 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.4 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 3.1 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 43%
- A certificate or some college 33%
- A two-year degree 12%
- A four-year degree 12%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Geographic information system
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,450
- Job openings each year
- 30
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 19.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,450 | 30 | 19.8% |
| Florida | 980 | 110 | 14.0% |
| Georgia | 490 | 50 | 14.0% |
| Tennessee | 450 | 50 | 9.8% |
| North Carolina | 330 | 40 | 17.9% |
| Missouri | 280 | 30 | −3.4% |
| Nevada | 230 | 30 | 27.8% |
| Michigan | 200 | 20 | — |
| Virginia | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Kansas | 180 | 20 | — |
| Maryland | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Illinois | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Alabama | 110 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 100 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 100 | 10 | — |
| Ohio | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Arizona | 90 | 10 | — |
| Kentucky | 90 | 10 | — |
| Washington | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Indiana | 70 | 10 | — |
| South Carolina | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Iowa | 60 | 10 | — |
| Oklahoma | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| West Virginia | 60 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Nebraska | 50 | 10 | — |
| Wisconsin | 40 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 40 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 30 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Indiana University-Bloomington
- Degrees each year
- 420
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
Western Carolina University
- Degrees each year
- 120
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Syracuse University
- Degrees each year
- 88
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 88
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 81
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Indiana University-Indianapolis
- Degrees each year
- 66
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
University of Oregon
- Degrees each year
- 66
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000
San Diego State University
- Degrees each year
- 56
- Admit rate
- 34%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Compare every college offering civil engineering technologies/technicians