Career Pathway for: 
Traffic Engineering
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A career in traffic engineering involves executing traffic signal, traffic operations, and intelligent transportation system design projects using civil engineering principles. A Traffic Engineer may work on traffic warrant and parking studies, transportation planning studies, traffic event management studies, and traffic signal and/or roadway design projects.
Senior Level Occupations
Typical Education and Certification Requirements
Master's degree preferred; bachelor's degree requiredMajor coursework in Civil Engineering or related fieldSenior Traffic Engineer
Job Description: Senior Traffic Engineers supervise the activities of assigned engineering and administrative staff and oversee the design of signing and striping, traffic control, traffic signal timing, traffic signal and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and the preparation of project reports, plans, specifications, estimates, grant applications, progress reports, and other technical documents.
Hiring Demand: Low
Typical Salary: $85,000 - $120,000
Minimum Years Experience Required: 6-10 + supervisory
Education & Work Experience:
More- Master's degree preferred; bachelor's degree required
- Major coursework in Civil Engineering or related field
Mid Level Occupations
Typical Education and Certification Requirements
Bachelor's degree requiredMaster's degree sometimes preferredMajor coursework in Civil Engineering or related fieldMaster’s degree preferred; bachelor’s degree required.Major coursework in civil engineering with traffic or transportation emphasis sometimes preferred.EIT/PE License commonly required; PTOE sometimes preferred.Traffic Operations Engineer
Job Description: Traffic Operations Engineers assist in coordinating traffic and transportation engineering activities including traffic control systems, street design, neighborhood traffic management, and development review of traffic and transportation issues as well as projects and programs for the purpose of improving traffic flow, increasing roadway and intersection capacity, reducing traffic accidents and promoting neighborhood traffic management.
Hiring Demand: Low
Typical Salary: $67,000 - $128,000
Minimum Years Experience Required: 5-9
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree required
- Master's degree sometimes preferred
- Major coursework in Civil Engineering or related field
Traffic Operations Manager
Job Description: Traffic Operations Managers plan, organize, oversee, coordinate, and review the work of staff performing difficult and complex professional, technical, and administrative support related to all programs and activities of traffic systems and infrastructures, including long- and short-term project planning, design, construction, maintenance, operations, and other programs.
Hiring Demand: Low
Typical Salary: $59,000 - $134,000
Minimum Years Experience Required: 5-9
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree required
- Master's degree sometimes preferred
- Major coursework in Civil Engineering or related field
Traffic Engineer
Job Description: A traffic engineer will execute traffic signal, traffic operations, and intelligent transportation system design projects using civil engineering principles.
Hiring Demand: Low
Typical Salary: $51,700 - $96,300
Minimum Years Experience Required: 5-9
Education & Work Experience:
More- Master’s degree preferred; bachelor’s degree required.
- Major coursework in civil engineering with traffic or transportation emphasis sometimes preferred.
- EIT/PE License commonly required; PTOE sometimes preferred.
Entry Level Occupations
Typical Education and Certification Requirements
Bachelor's degree required or in progressMajor coursework in Civil Engineering or related fieldAsst. Traffic Engineer
Job Description: Assistant Traffic Engineers supervise the signal section, sign and pavement marking section, and engineering section to ensure that all responsibilities and assignments are completed.
Hiring Demand: Moderate
Typical Salary: $24,900 - $59,000
Minimum Years Experience Required: 0-3
Education & Work Experience:
More- Bachelor's degree required or in progress
- Major coursework in Civil Engineering or related field