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Traffic Control Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MP ยท On-site

$34.34/hr

Summary Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Air Traffic Control Tower. Dimensions of Position Works under the general ...

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Traffic Control Specialist information

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$25.5K

$92.5K

$182K

How much do traffic control specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 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 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.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a traffic control specialist?

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 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 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.

How hard is it to become a traffic control specialist?

Becoming a traffic control specialist typically requires completing a training program and obtaining a certification, such as a flagger certification, which can often be completed in a few days. The job involves understanding safety protocols, using traffic control devices, and working outdoors in various weather conditions, but it generally does not require extensive education or experience.

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 are popular job titles related to Traffic Control Specialist jobs?

For Traffic Control Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Traffic Control Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% 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

Robinson Aviation

Key West, FL โ€ข On-site

$44.39/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description


Summary
Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Air Traffic Control Tower.

Dimensions of Position
Works under the general supervision of the Tower Manager who relies on the incumbent to perform established duties independently. On new or revised procedures, the manager gives detailed instructions and observes, and checks work during or immediately after completion according to complexity of the task or until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.

Accountability

1. Makes decisions involving:

  • The order of departures that will assure all aircraft equitable treatment and will assure that departing IFR flights operate at the fix, altitude, and the time designated by the center or approach control clearances.
  • The times and direction of takeoff and any turns necessary for departure.
  • Whether inbound aircraft are to land immediately or circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival of an aircraft at a given point.
  • The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
  • The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
  • When landing and departing aircraft are cleared to use the runways to assure standard separation between aircraft on the runways.
  • The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, to assure a safe, orderly flow of aircraft on final approach to the landing runway.
  • That IFR separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control of the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between

IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.

  • The sequence of VFR and IFR traffic, using radar equipment as an aid and, when delegated, separating IFR traffic.
  • When VFR flights through the airport traffic area can be authorized.

2. Determines the usability of communications frequencies available to him/her as other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and monitors control panels, including BRITE display to determine acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/radar beacon codes.

3. When appropriate, coordinates with the other controllers on movements of both arrival and departure aircraft.

4. When traffic conditions warrant, controllers in non-approach terminals are responsible for:

  • Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
  • Preplanning and setting up check points required to ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
  • Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of a constantly changing traffic complex frequency dispersed over an equivalent geographic area.
  • Maintaining continuous radio watch with aircraft which have previously contacted the facility.
  • Accepting responsibility to handle IFR traffic at his/her airport.

5. Studies weather bureau reports and forecasts, obtains LAWRS/SAWRS weather certification, observes weather from the tower and records pilot reports to determine the effect of present and anticipated weather on traffic; furnishes aircraft with information such as field conditions, altimeter settings, weather conditions, operating status of navigational aids, and observed malfunctioning of aircraft, forwards to the weather bureau and the appropriate center, pilot weather reports and reports based upon personal observation of weather conditions; operates light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers etc.

6. Orients pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determines whether a given situation may operations offices, airport management offices, and fire and ambulance services.

7. Performs lower grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirements and for proficiency maintenance.

8. Provides OJT training to others.

Requirements

Individual must have a CTO Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. Position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident). Individual must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating or have held an FAA Credential with a tower rating, for a minimum of six months in an Air Traffic Control Tower.

Pay: $44.39 Per Hour

HW Rate: $4.98