Traffic Technicians Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, traffic technicians earn $82,990 at the median — $39.9 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $76,278 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 59.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $83K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About traffic technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level traffic technicians (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K.Top earners bring in $83K or more - a $25K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do traffic technicians make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $82,990 a year - that works out to about $39.9 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,630, and experienced traffic technicians can clear $82,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,243/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 59.6% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median traffic technicians salary is worth about $76,278 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.