Traffic Technicians Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, traffic technicians earn $68,060 at the median — $32.72 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $62,509 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 50.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $68K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About traffic technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level traffic technicians (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K.Top earners bring in $79K or more - a $28K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do traffic technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $68,060 a year - that works out to about $32.72 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,690, and experienced traffic technicians can clear $79,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,433/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 50.7% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $62,509 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.