ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Traffic Control Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsTraffic Control Specialist Jobs

Traffic Control Specialist information

See salary details

$25.5K

$92.5K

$182K

How much do traffic control specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for traffic control specialist in the United States is $92,458.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $119,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Traffic Control Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Traffic Control Specialist, you typically need expertise in traffic management principles, a high school diploma or equivalent, and completion of relevant safety and flagger training programs. Familiarity with traffic control devices, communication radios, and software such as traffic management systems is often required. Strong situational awareness, clear communication, and quick decision-making make candidates stand out in this role. These skills ensure the safe and efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians in construction zones or events, minimizing risks and maintaining compliance with safety regulations.

What Is a Traffic Control Specialist?

A traffic control specialist maintains a safe work area on highways, municipal roads, rights-of-way, and rural roads. Your duties include directing traffic, repairing pavement, removing road obstacles, and utilizing construction equipment alongside construction and maintenance workers. Additional responsibilities include mowing brush from the road, plowing snow, and placing snow way markers. This career requires on-the-job training or an apprenticeship, along with a high school diploma. Knowledge of traffic safety laws and roadside maintenance techniques is necessary. Additional qualifications include experience with all equipment, excellent physical fitness and stamina, and strong communication skills.

Where do flaggers get paid the most?

Traffic control specialists, including flaggers, tend to earn higher wages in regions with a high cost of living or where construction and infrastructure projects are more frequent. States or areas with active construction industries and strict safety regulations often offer higher pay rates for flaggers, especially when working overtime or requiring specialized certifications. Experience, certifications, and working conditions also influence pay levels across different locations.

Is ATC a high stress job?

Traffic Control Specialists often work in high-pressure environments, managing traffic flow and ensuring safety in potentially hazardous conditions. The job requires quick decision-making, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols, which can contribute to a high-stress level depending on the work setting and workload.

What is a traffic specialist?

A traffic control specialist is a worker responsible for directing and managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic, often at construction sites, accidents, or events. They set up and operate traffic control devices like signs, cones, and barriers, and typically require certification in traffic control procedures. Their goal is to ensure safety and smooth flow of traffic in work zones or high-traffic areas.

What is the difference between Traffic Control Specialist vs Flagger?

AspectTraffic Control SpecialistFlagger
CertificationsTypically requires OSHA safety training, flagger certification, and sometimes traffic control trainingPrimarily requires flagger certification and safety training
Work EnvironmentWorks on construction sites, road maintenance, and traffic management areasWorks directly on roads, directing traffic at work zones
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by construction companies, municipalities, and traffic management firmsPrimarily employed by construction and road maintenance contractors
Job ResponsibilitiesSets up traffic control devices, manages traffic flow, and ensures safety protocolsManually directs traffic using stop/slow paddles, signals drivers, and ensures safety

While both roles focus on traffic safety, a Traffic Control Specialist has broader responsibilities including planning and managing traffic control setups, whereas a Flagger primarily directs traffic at specific points. The Traffic Control Specialist often requires additional certifications and works in a wider range of environments.

What are Traffic Control Specialists?

Traffic Control Specialists are professionals responsible for directing and managing the flow of vehicles and pedestrians to ensure safety and efficiency, particularly around construction zones, events, or accident sites. They use signs, signals, and barriers to guide traffic and may also coordinate with law enforcement or emergency services when needed. Their work helps to minimize accidents, prevent congestion, and create a safe environment for both workers and the public. Traffic Control Specialists often need to be alert, communicate clearly, and follow safety regulations closely.

What are the most common challenges faced by Traffic Control Specialists, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Traffic Control Specialists often face challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing traffic patterns, maintaining clear communication with team members, and ensuring safety in high-pressure situations. New hires can prepare by familiarizing themselves with local traffic regulations, developing strong situational awareness, and practicing effective radio communication. Additionally, attention to detail and the ability to remain calm under stress are crucial, as these skills help ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic, especially during emergencies or inclement weather.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in the US?

Traffic Control Specialists typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are usually associated with executive roles, specialized medical professionals, or successful entrepreneurs. High-paying jobs often require advanced skills, extensive experience, or ownership of a business. Most traffic control roles offer moderate wages and are not among the highest-paying careers.
More about Traffic Control Specialist jobs
What cities are hiring for Traffic Control Specialist jobs? Cities with the most Traffic Control Specialist job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Traffic Control Specialist jobs? The top employers for Traffic Control Specialist jobs are:
What states have the most Traffic Control Specialist jobs? States with the most job openings for Traffic Control Specialist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Traffic Control Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Traffic Control Specialist jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Traffic Control Specialist jobs? For Traffic Control Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Traffic Control Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Traffic Control Specialist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,458 per year, or $44.5 per hour.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL)

Air National Guard Units

Meridian, MS • On-site, Remote

$86K - $111K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Air National Guard rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

Summary
THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION THAT REQUIRES MILITARY MEMBERSHIP.
This National Guard position is for a AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL), Position Description Number D1799000and is part of the Mississippi Air National Guard.
This position is located in Air National Guard (ANG) Aviation Wing, Air Traffic Control (ATC)Squadrons.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
As a AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SPECIALIST (TERMINAL), GS-2152-11, you will provide tower, radar, and non-radar air traffic control (ATC) services to military and civilian aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR), or Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Provides terminal ATC services to aircraft operating from primary and/or secondary airports within delegated airspace. Manages and directs controller actions and functions in Tower and Radar facilities as the primary watch supervisor and/or senior controller.
(1) Performs air traffic control duties in the control tower and radar facility. Directs movement of aircraft in flight and on the ground by utilizing pilot and controller reports, visual observation, and/or tower and radar facility radar displays, or a combination of methods and in close coordination with other controllers. Under restrictive time and space limitations, formulates and issues ATC clearances and instructions to provide for the required separation and or sequencing of all IFR, SVFR, and VFR traffic within delegated airspace. Adjusts aircraft flight paths, assigns arrival and departure routes to various types of aircraft, arrival and departure runways, adjusts speed, and issues altitude assignments to accompany multiple types and performance level of civilian and military aircraft to affect separation and expeditious traffic flow as prescribed in FAAO 7110.65.
(2) Provides assistance to both experienced professional and inexperienced student pilots within the airspace and ensures expeditious traffic flows are maintained. Provides mandatory additional services and assistance to aircraft to include those experiencing in-flight emergencies, hijacking and unlawful seizure, pilot disorientation, and to those aircraft otherwise experiencing distress during flight. Participates in a host of Transportation Security Agency (TSA) and FAA mandated homeland security procedures and implements Federal and local guidance and direction for aircraft operations within terminal areas. Formulates and issues IFR and SVFR clearances and VFR advisory information. Formulates and issue all ground movement clearances to aircraft on the ground, vehicular, and personnel operating on the movement areas and runways.
(3) Operates, trains, and provides preventative maintenance on a host of automated communications and display hardware and software systems that are integral and vital to the operation of the air traffic control facility. Types of systems include but are not limited to; Enhanced Terminal Voice Switch (ETVS), Digital Bright Radar Indicator Tower Equipment (DBRITE), Digital Voice Recording System (DVRS), Data Transmission Network (DTN), Digital Mapper, DoD Advanced Automation System (DAAS), Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR) System, Standard Automated Replacement Radar System (STARS), Information Data Systems (IDS), Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS), Control Tower Simulator System (CTSS), Air Traffic Control Training Device (ATCTD), Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), and Automated Surface Observation Systems (ASOS). Ensures all equipment is accurately aligned and within the required standards, while operating at peak efficiency by all controllers. Maintains communications with aircraft and adjacent facilities to transmit and receive instructions and information relative to flight. Determines when backup or alternate communications are required and places same in operation as appropriate.
(4) Serves as a watch supervisor or senior controller in the ATC facility. Provides direction to all controllers in the safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air and ground aircraft and vehicle traffic. Issues and withdraws approval for facility ATC services based on traffic, workload, controller training, equipment capability, and training workload. Manages controllers on a shift to include position assignment, appointments, unexpected absences, leave scheduling, and shift overlap. Documents training progression/lack of progression and writes and reviews periodic reports of training for all qualification, review, recurring, and proficiency training requirements. Documents controller performance and adherence to military and civilian standards on Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs). In concert with the Air Traffic Manager, routinely coordinates essential information on daily flying, ground movement, and general ATC issues with the Wing Supervisor of Flying (SOF), Operations and Group Commander(s), Civilian and Military Airport Managers, transient military DoD pilots, civilian Air Carrier Dispatch Centers, and other interested and required agencies.
(5) Performs other duties as assigned which will be explained during interview.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
MILITARY REQUIREMENTS:
Military Grades: E5-E7
1. Must be facility-rated in all assigned facilities and maintain proficiency.
2. Must meet and maintain on a continuing basis, the physical and mental qualification standards established by the USAF or ANG for Air Traffic Control duty.
3. Irregular and overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies. May be assigned additional ATC related duties.
4. Incumbent must exercise a high level of judgment and discretion, demonstrate verbal and written skills, and the ability to meet and deal with high-ranking military and civilian personnel.
5. Must possess ability to make rapid and precise judgments in real-time work situations, be able to remain calm under conditions that are stressful, and to coordinate at times many different processes at once, while adjusting rapidly to changes in the traffic pattern and tempo of work activities.
6. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
7. For positions requiring a security clearance (Secret or Top Secret) the applicant must possess or be able to obtain a clearance within one year of appointment.
8. Wear of the military uniform is MANDATORY.
Qualifications
NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement.
MILITARY MEMBERS WITH BONUSES: Upon acceptance of a military technician position military members who are currently receiving a military Reenlistment/Extension Bonus (REB) or GI Bill-SR Kicker may lose incentive eligibility and may be subject to termination or suspension of incentive (includes indefinite and temporary technicians on assignment for more than 180 days in any continuous 12-month period).
If your resume does not include a narrative description of how you meet the GENERAL, SPECIALIZED experiences, and OTHER requirements, you may lose consideration for this position. Ensure that the Questionnaire is completed online in Application Manager.
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have 12 months of documented experiences, education, or training that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must possess at least 12 months experience equivalent to at least GS-10. Must be a graduate of a formal DoD/DOT basic air traffic control course and be able to obtain and maintain a facility-rating in a single ATC facility (Radar Final Control (RFC)/Ground Controlled Approach (GCA)/Control Tower). Under general supervision, the GS-11 terminal controller performs regular duties in terminal operations, issuing control instructions to aircraft operating under visual or instrument flight rules or combinations of both. Have some experiences in a military or civilian as an Air Traffic Controller in a single ATC facility-rated control tower air traffic facility. Initiated and issued air traffic control clearances, instructions and advisories to ensure safe, orderly and expeditious flow of air traffic under instrument and visual flight rules. Experienced in conducting ATC facility training. Experienced in briefing shift personnel on runway utilization, airfield conditions and weather/ground activities. Prepared and updated flight following maps. Performed some shift supervision duties in a tactical or fixed tower, radar, or AIC. Experienced work as a tactical air control team (TACT) leader in a tactical terminal control system (TTCS) or have experiences on deployed teams to remote areas to secure and set- up forward area refueling and rearming points (FARPS), LZs, HLZs, DZs and PZs. Maintained current DoD and DOT/FAA publications, ATC facility logs, forms, records and situation maps. Assisted in the preparation of TERPS. If you are claiming Federal employee experience, you MUST include copies of your SF-50's to receive consideration for this experience. SUPERVISORY HIGHLY DESIRES APPLICANT TO HAVE CONTROLLED LIVE ATC TRAFFIC IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
Education
Army and Air National Guard Enlisted Technicians: High school or general equivalent degree is mandatory. An undergraduate academic specialization in a technical discipline with courses in administration and management is desirable. Must be a graduate of a formal DoD/Department of Transportation (DOT) Basic Air Traffic Control course.
A GS-11 and higher Air Traffic Control Specialist is a graduate of a formal DoD/DOT basic air traffic control course and will obtain and maintain facility-ratings in dual ATC facilities (RFC/GCA/Radar Approach Control (RAPCON)/Control Tower). This level includes a variety of assignments and work situations in the terminals. A GS-11 is typically the first full performance level of control work in radar approach control terminals. Also included at this level are full performance level control positions in non-approach control and non-radar approach control terminals where the performance requirements are substantially higher than at the GS-10 level.
There are no substitutions allowed for education to replace specialized experience for the air traffic controller positions. .
Additional information
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
In general, ATC specialists must have the capacity to perform essential functions of air traffic control operations without risk to themselves or others. Must have normal color vision; must meet the physical demands rating for heavy lifting work; and, must qualify physically in compliance with Department of Defense (DoD)/Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical standards.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
  • Must possess or be able to obtain a National Agency Check, Local Agency Checks and Credit (NACLC) according to applicable DoD Instructions, Army or Air Force regulations, upon appointment. All air traffic control positions require a security clearance (Secret or Top Secret) and the applicant must possess or be able to obtain the proper clearance within one year of appointment.
  • Must have a valid state driver's license for the state in which he or she lives or is principally employed.
  • Must not have any disciplinary action (Article 15 or court-martial) for engaging in an unprofessional or inappropriate relationship as defined in applicable DoD Instructions concerning Army and Air Force Professional and Unprofessional Relationships.
  • Applicants must successfully complete a medical physical and pass a drug test prior to appointment.

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What Air National Guard employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply