Traffic Technicians Salary in California
In California, traffic technicians earn $80,570 at the median — $38.74 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in California?
About traffic technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level traffic technicians (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $98K or more - a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Traffic Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $81K | +38% | N/A |
| Washington | $79K | +35% | 50 |
| Minnesota | $71K | +21% | 40 |
| New York | $70K | +20% | 970 |
| Iowa | $70K | +19% | 30 |
| Maryland | $67K | +14% | 120 |
| Oregon | $63K | +8% | 50 |
| Virginia | $62K | +7% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +6% | 70 |
| Idaho | $61K | +4% | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $60K | +2% | 40 |
| Arizona | $60K | +2% | 280 |
| Ohio | $60K | +2% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $60K | +2% | 110 |
| Oklahoma | $59K | +1% | 90 |
Track traffic technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do traffic technicians make in California?
The median is $80,570 a year - that works out to about $38.74 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,040, and experienced traffic technicians can clear $97,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,120/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 43% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a traffic technicians salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median traffic technicians salary is worth about $80,570 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do traffic technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.