Job title · SOC 53-6041

Traffic Signal Technician

Also known as: traffic technician

Overview

Sourced

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.

O*NET definition of Traffic Technicians (SOC 53-6041) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.

5,670

in government (SOC 53-6041)

72%

of this occupation works for government

$60,610

median pay in government

Local · State

levels of government

Titles employers use

Traffic Control Technician (Traffic Control Tech)Traffic Signal Technician (TST)Traffic Systems Technician (Traffic Systems Tech)Transportation Technician (Transportation Tech)Field Traffic InvestigatorTraffic Field InvestigatorTraffic InvestigatorTraffic Monitor SpecialistTraffic Survey Technician (Traffic Survey Tech)Transportation Planning Technician (Transportation Planning Tech)

How people usually get in Editorial

IMSA certification. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 53-6041)

Education needed to enter: High school diploma or equivalent
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

High School Diploma or the equivalent

43%

Post-Secondary Certificate

10%

Some College Courses

23%

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

12%

Bachelor's Degree

12%

Share of surveyed workers in Traffic Technicians (SOC 53-6041) naming each level as required to be hired, 32 respondents, O*NET survey July 2016. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 53-6041: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Medium Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Civil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

Trainee / Assistant
Level I
Level II (journey)
Level III / Senior
Lead / Principal
Supervisor
Manager
Director / Division Chief

Source: GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240) (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

Not published

State

$60,270

Local

$60,700

All government

$60,610

Private sector

$56,330

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
State	1,270	$47,670	$52,290	$60,270	$70,100	$78,380
Local	4,400	$39,030	$47,320	$60,700	$77,430	$91,740
All government	5,670	$39,510	$48,500	$60,610	$75,460	$85,400
Private sector	2,190	$38,210	$44,080	$56,330	$77,540	$85,100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Traffic Signal Technician in 10 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Alabama	Traffic Signal Tech (T), Traffic Signal Tech, SR (T) 2 classes · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department	$32,887 – $70,392
Hawaii	Electronic Traffic Signal Tech 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD)	$90,960
Idaho	Traffic Signal Technician, Electrician Traffic Signal 2 classes · effective June 8, 2025 · Idaho Division of Human Resources	$34,965 – $88,379
Indiana	Traffic Signal Tech 2–1, Traffic Signal Tech S4, Traffic Signal Tech S3 4 classes · Indiana State Personnel Department	$42,900 – $79,846
Kentucky	Highway Traffic Technician I–III 3 classes · effective September 16, 2026 · Kentucky Personnel Cabinet	$30,104 – $38,855
Minnesota	Highway Signal Technician 1 class · effective July 2, 2026 · Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)	$75,483 – $87,651
New Mexico	Traffic Technician, Senior Traffic Technician 2 classes · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$38,885 – $64,160
Ohio	Traffic Signal Technician 1–2 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation	$50,482 – $71,822
Pennsylvania	Traffic Control Technician 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration	$46,827 – $75,298
South Carolina	Traffic Signal Technician I–IV 4 classes · South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources	$40,086 – $105,978

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 10 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Schedule

Sourced

Work schedule

Regular

83%

Irregular

17%

Typical work week

Less than 40 hours

12%

40 hours

88%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.4.0
Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.4.0
Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.3.9
Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.3.9
Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.3.9
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.3.8
Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.3.7
Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.3.6
Gather and compile data from hand count sheets, machine count tapes, or radar speed checks and code data for computer input.3.5
Study traffic delays by noting times of delays, the numbers of vehicles affected, and vehicle speed through the delay area.3.4

The 10 most important of 11 core tasks for Traffic Technicians, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Traffic Technicians (SOC 53-6041) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
California	1,250	$52,990	$79,110	$97,080
Minnesota	60	$62,240	$77,810	$84,880
Washington	70	$60,990	$71,960	$103,260
New York	950	$46,000	$71,670	$105,720
Indiana	120	$43,990	$71,000	$85,140
Illinois	40	$37,010	$70,970	$96,150
Iowa	30	$36,070	$68,100	$89,590
Pennsylvania	60	$49,300	$65,610	$78,580
New Jersey	110	$48,020	$64,240	$87,660
Massachusetts	90	$44,730	$63,780	$116,500
Virginia	90	$46,500	$62,270	$82,460
Utah	30	$41,590	$61,970	$81,740
Ohio	210	$34,670	$61,460	$77,520
Nebraska	40	$35,580	$61,380	$77,780
Oklahoma	90	$41,840	$60,750	$79,640
Maryland	140	$48,500	$60,650	$92,900
Arizona	310	$38,010	$59,980	$89,400
Wisconsin	40	$51,400	$58,940	$76,100
Idaho	70	$45,700	$57,180	$80,050
South Carolina	150	$41,050	$57,080	$74,680
North Carolina	110	$45,640	$56,800	$80,530
Missouri	220	$45,940	$56,720	$76,210
West Virginia	70	$43,560	$53,400	$56,560
Nevada	190	$39,480	$53,100	$101,280
Alabama	130	$35,290	$52,060	$65,740
Florida	710	$36,670	$51,220	$77,700
Connecticut	Not published	$37,680	$50,400	$79,950
Wyoming	30	$37,980	$50,120	$65,200
Arkansas	50	$37,820	$49,550	$73,910
New Mexico	80	$39,610	$49,280	$58,610
Texas	650	$37,930	$48,770	$69,710
Georgia	220	$37,910	$48,110	$76,610
Kansas	160	$37,870	$47,100	$64,170
Tennessee	460	$43,480	$44,970	$62,140
Louisiana	130	$35,720	$42,710	$55,320
Michigan	100	$33,180	$37,890	$77,980

36 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

03 Hiring process
Ordered steps + typical timeline: application, written test (named), physical test (named), oral board, background, polygraph, psych, medical, eligibility list
Not yet collected
05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan/tier and formula, retirement age/years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b), PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union, current CBA (source link, effective dates)
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonus, inter-agency moves
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named exams → OpenExamPrep practice
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
L4 directory: every employer that hires this job, each with its own facet values
Not yet collected

At a glance

Job familyTransit & Transportation

LevelLocal, State

Pay structureCivil-service class series

Occupation code53-6041 Traffic Technicians

PreparationMedium Preparation Needed

Sources and verification

Alabama State Personnel Department — Alabama Merit Semi-Monthly Compensation Plan (effective 09/01/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Alabama state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) — Hawaii Compensation Plans and Bargaining Unit Salary Schedules

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (State of Hawaiʻi government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Idaho Division of Human Resources — Idaho State Classifications and FY 2026–2027 Salary Structures

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Idaho state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Kentucky Personnel Cabinet — Kentucky Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule (effective September 16, 2026) and Job Class Specifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Kentucky state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification — New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (New Mexico state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) — O*NET 31.0 Database

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · CC BY 4.0

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. GovJobsWiki has modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public domain (U.S. government work)

Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Classification & Compensation — Ohio State Classification Plan — Pay Range Booklet and Pay Range Schedules (rates effective July 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Ohio state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Administration — Pennsylvania Commonwealth Classification and Pay Plan (job classes and pay schedules)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources — South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (South Carolina state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Indiana State Personnel Department — State of Indiana Job Code Listing (August 2026)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public record (Indiana state government publication); facts republished with a link to the source

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) — State of Minnesota Salary Plan — Classifications and Salary Ranges (report LR0067)

Official source · data captured September 30, 2026 · Public data (Minnesota state government publication, MMB); facts republished with a link to the source

GovJobsWiki — GovJobsWiki job taxonomy v1 (research round R240)

GovJobsWiki editorial · not a sourced fact · GovJobsWiki editorial

Page data last changed September 30, 2026. How we verify · Report an error

Traffic Signal Technician

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Education workers say the job requires

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

State government pay plans

Schedule

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected