California Median
$79,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $59,090
State Rank
#1 of 36
1,250 employed here
How much does a Traffic Technician make in California?
A Traffic Technician working in California earns a median salary of $79,110 per year, or about $38.03 per hour. That is 34% above the national median of $59,090 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $52,990 while the top 10% make $97,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,120 and $85,240 a year.
Traffic Technician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,990 | $25.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,120 | $28.42 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,110 | $38.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $85,240 | $40.98 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,080 | $46.67 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 36 states and territories for Traffic Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Traffic Technician salary in other states
Minnesota $77,810Washington $71,960New York $71,670Indiana $71,000Illinois $70,970Iowa $68,100Pennsylvania $65,610New Jersey $64,240Massachusetts $63,780Virginia $62,270Utah $61,970Ohio $61,460Nebraska $61,380Oklahoma $60,750Maryland $60,650Arizona $59,980Wisconsin $58,940Idaho $57,180South Carolina $57,080North Carolina $56,800Missouri $56,720West Virginia $53,400Nevada $53,100Alabama $52,060Florida $51,220Connecticut $50,400Wyoming $50,120Arkansas $49,550New Mexico $49,280Texas $48,770Georgia $48,110Kansas $47,100Tennessee $44,970Louisiana $42,710Michigan $37,890
Working as a Traffic Technician in California
Nationally, about 8,000 people work as Traffic Technicians in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($79,110) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Traffic Technician make in California?
The median Traffic Technician salary in California is $79,110 per year, or about $38.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,990 at the entry level to $97,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Traffic Technicians about 34% more than the national median of $59,090. California ranks 1st out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Traffic Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,110 a year. About 1,250 Traffic Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Traffic Technician salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.