How much does a traffic technician make?
The median traffic technician in the United States earns $59,090 per year, about $28.41 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all traffic technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-6041.
Traffic technician salary range
Pay for traffic technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $85,130. The average (mean) wage of $62,050 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $18.79 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,440 | $22.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,090 | $28.41 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,850 | $36.47 | |
| 90th percentile | $85,130 | $40.93 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for traffic technicians (SOC 53-6041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Traffic technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Traffic technicians earn the most in California at $79,110 a year, and the least in Michigan at $37,890. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $79,110 | 1,250 |
| Minnesota | $77,810 | 60 |
| Washington | $71,960 | 70 |
| New York | $71,670 | 950 |
| Indiana | $71,000 | 120 |
| Illinois | $70,970 | 40 |
| Iowa | $68,100 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,610 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $64,240 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $63,780 | 90 |
| Virginia | $62,270 | 90 |
| Utah | $61,970 | 30 |
| Ohio | $61,460 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $61,380 | 40 |
| Oklahoma | $60,750 | 90 |
| Maryland | $60,650 | 140 |
| Arizona | $59,980 | 310 |
| Wisconsin | $58,940 | 40 |
| Idaho | $57,180 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $57,080 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $56,800 | 110 |
| Missouri | $56,720 | 220 |
| West Virginia | $53,400 | 70 |
| Nevada | $53,100 | 190 |
| Alabama | $52,060 | 130 |
| Florida | $51,220 | 710 |
| Connecticut | $50,400 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $50,120 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $49,550 | 50 |
| New Mexico | $49,280 | 80 |
| Texas | $48,770 | 650 |
| Georgia | $48,110 | 220 |
| Kansas | $47,100 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $44,970 | 460 |
| Louisiana | $42,710 | 130 |
| Michigan | $37,890 | 100 |
State median wages for traffic technicians (SOC 53-6041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for traffic technicians
The BLS projects employment of traffic technicians to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for traffic technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a traffic technician
The typical entry-level education for traffic technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a traffic technician earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $79,110) and the lowest (Michigan, $37,890) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 7,860 people work as traffic technicians in the United States. At $59,090 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Traffic technician salary FAQ
How much does a traffic technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a traffic technician is $28.41. The middle half of traffic technicians earn between $22.33 and $36.47 per hour.
What is the highest traffic technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of traffic technicians earn more than $85,130 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a traffic technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a traffic technician is $59,090. The average (mean) wage of $62,050 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a traffic technician a well paid job?
At $59,090 a year, a traffic technician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 7,860 people work as traffic technicians in the United States.
Which state pays traffic technicians the most?
California has the highest median salary for traffic technicians at $79,110 a year. Minnesota ($77,810) and Washington ($71,960) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a traffic technician a good career?
Employment of traffic technicians is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a traffic technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for traffic technicians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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