How to hire traffic technicians
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow. • Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures. • Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment. • Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times. • Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency. • Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems. • Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness. • 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. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: High school diploma or equivalent] • Strong active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking, monitoring and writing skills • Working knowledge of public safety and security, computers and electronics, transportation and English Language • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $28.41 an hour ($59,090 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for traffic technicians
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What traffic technicians do
- Analyze data related to traffic flow, accident rates, or proposed development to determine the most efficient methods to expedite traffic flow.
- Interact with the public to answer traffic-related questions, respond to complaints or requests, or discuss traffic control ordinances, plans, policies, or procedures.
- Measure and record the speed of vehicular traffic, using electrical timing devices or radar equipment.
- Operate counters and record data to assess the volume, type, and movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic at specified times.
- Plan, design, and improve components of traffic control systems to accommodate current or projected traffic and to increase usability and efficiency.
- Prepare work orders for repair, maintenance, or changes in traffic systems.
- Study factors affecting traffic conditions, such as lighting or sign and marking visibility, to assess their effectiveness.
- 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.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for traffic technicians
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 900 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay traffic technicians
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| California | $79,110 |
| New York | $71,670 |
| Florida | $51,220 |
| Texas | $48,770 |
See traffic technicians pay in every state
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Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.