Traffic Technicians
Also called: Traffic Control Technician (Traffic Control Tech), Traffic Signal Technician (TST), Traffic Systems Technician (Traffic Systems Tech), Transportation Technician (Transportation Tech)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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 15 of its 22 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 4.0% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.4% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other transportation workers”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 4.3 hires for every 10 job openings in government, which employs about 84% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.4.3 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,060 | $41,330 to $60,730 | 130 |
| Arizona | $59,980 | $49,390 to $76,170 | 310 |
| Arkansas | $49,550 | $38,430 to $57,140 | 50 |
| California | $79,110 | $59,120 to $85,240 | 1,250 |
| Connecticut | $50,400 | $37,680 to $60,300 | not published |
| Florida | $51,220 | $41,600 to $64,160 | 710 |
| Georgia | $48,110 | $41,680 to $64,190 | 220 |
| Idaho | $57,180 | $49,900 to $71,990 | 70 |
| Illinois | $70,970 | $51,810 to $88,190 | 40 |
| Indiana | $71,000 | $56,290 to $73,730 | 120 |
| Iowa | $68,100 | $54,740 to $72,660 | 30 |
| Kansas | $47,100 | $42,720 to $50,650 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $42,710 | $37,130 to $50,660 | 130 |
| Maryland | $60,650 | $52,090 to $72,960 | 140 |
| Massachusetts | $63,780 | $45,220 to $89,840 | 90 |
| Michigan | $37,890 | $37,890 to $66,660 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $77,810 | $65,660 to $82,390 | 60 |
| Missouri | $56,720 | $48,630 to $66,350 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $61,380 | $40,730 to $77,780 | 40 |
| Nevada | $53,100 | $44,820 to $79,550 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $64,240 | $54,720 to $78,000 | 110 |
| New Mexico | $49,280 | $39,610 to $56,070 | 80 |
| New York | $71,670 | $52,190 to $83,770 | 950 |
| North Carolina | $56,800 | $47,270 to $64,020 | 110 |
| Ohio | $61,460 | $41,740 to $75,420 | 210 |
| Oklahoma | $60,750 | $46,400 to $63,670 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,610 | $49,660 to $70,480 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $57,080 | $48,760 to $62,410 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $44,970 | $44,090 to $54,190 | 460 |
| Texas | $48,770 | $42,070 to $59,480 | 650 |
| Utah | $61,970 | $53,110 to $74,760 | 30 |
| Virginia | $62,270 | $54,250 to $80,650 | 90 |
| Washington | $71,960 | $64,110 to $95,030 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $53,400 | $49,690 to $55,480 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $58,940 | $56,880 to $64,210 | 40 |
| Wyoming | $50,120 | $48,510 to $59,310 | 30 |
Nationally: $59,090. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 15 of its 22 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems. | Not published |
| AI + software | Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures. | Not published |
| AI + software | Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness. | Not published |
| AI + software | Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow. | Not published |
| AI + software | Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency. | Not published |
| AI + software | Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input. | under 0.01% |
See all 22 tasks
| AI + software | Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times. | Not published |
| AI + software | Visit development or work sites to determine projects' effect on traffic and the adequacy of traffic control and safety plans or to suggest traffic control measures. | Not published |
| Not much | Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment. | Not published |
| AI + software | Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare drawings of proposed signal installations or other control devices, using drafting instruments or computer-automated drafting equipment. | Not published |
| AI + software | Prepare graphs, charts, diagrams, or other aids to illustrate observations or conclusions. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Compute time settings for traffic signals or speed restrictions, using standard formulas. | Not published |
| Not much | Lay out pavement markings for striping crews. | Not published |
| AI + software | Provide technical supervision regarding traffic control devices to other traffic technicians or laborers. | Not published |
| AI + software | Establish procedures for street closures or for repair or construction projects. | Not published |
| AI + software | Provide traffic information, such as road conditions, to the public. | Not published |
| Not much | Review traffic control or barricade plans to issue permits for parades or other special events or for construction work that affects rights of way, providing assistance with plan preparation or revision, as necessary. | Not published |
| Not much | Place and secure automatic counters, using power tools, and retrieve counters after counting periods end. | Not published |
| AI + software | Monitor street or utility projects for compliance to traffic control permit conditions. | Not published |
| Not much | Time stoplights or other delays, using stopwatches. | Not published |
| Not much | Maintain or make minor adjustments or field repairs to equipment used in surveys, including the replacement of parts on traffic data gathering devices. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 2 of the 22 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 22 tasks fall under 17 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #5 Provide information or assistance to the public
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #11 Provide information to guests, clients, or customers
- and 2 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze data to improve operations | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Monitor traffic conditions | |||
| Provide information or assistance to the public | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes | |||
| Provide information to guests, clients, or customers | |||
| Compile records, documentation, or other data |
Show all 17 activities
| Plan work activities | |||
| Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Identify business or organizational opportunities | |||
| Schedule operational activities | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly | |||
| Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties | |||
| Repair electrical or electronic equipment | |||
| Supervise personnel activities | |||
| Install commercial or production equipment |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A chart or visualization58%
- An app or website8%
- An image or graphic7%
- A script or snippet4%
- Data or a spreadsheet4%
How they worked with Claude
53% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for traffic technicians specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 3,731 moves out
- 1 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 6%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 3 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
- 4 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Low +4.2% 3%
- 5 Administrative Services Managers (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
Where people moved in from
of 4,133 moves in
- 1 Retail Salespersons Very high -0.3% 6%
- 2 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 6%
- 3 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 4%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
- 5 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Very high -5.6% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 43% high school
- 10% postsecondary certificate
- 23% some college
- 12% associate's
- 12% bachelor's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 32 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 5% less than high school
- 33% high school
- 22% some college
- 9% associate's
- 21% bachelor's
- 9% master's
- 1% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other transportation workers” · 556 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other transportation workers”
2 programs: Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians and Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeships: DOL's list of apprenticeable occupations doesn't include this one.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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