Career at a Glance

How much do you know about being a traffic signal technician? This page answers many of the questions we receive from people applying for the apprenticeship program. Read on, because you may be surprised to learn about what traffic signal technicians do, how they are trained and the opportunities available to them.

What will you do?

As a traffic signal technician, you will maintain, repair, and install traffic signal control devices, computerized communication cables and associated equipment; to develop and evaluate special circuits and/or sequences to enhance/modify signal operations; and to assist in traffic pattern development to facilitate traffic progress.

What type of education do you need?

You'll need more than a GED/high school diploma to begin a career as a traffic signal technician. Because of the skills and knowledge required, post secondary training and/or an apprenticeship through organizations like the Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program is a must.

What skills and knowledge are needed?

Your success as a traffic signal technician will be dependent on your knowledge of electricity, physical strength and stamina, ability to work in nearly all weather conditions, and technical capacity to understand drawings and diagrams. The Missouri Valley Line Constructors and Apprentice Training Program is the best and most respected way to learn these skills.

What types of certification are needed?

Traffic signal technicians are required to have an IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) ticket, CPR training ,OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) certification and other credentials. Your apprenticeship training program will prepare you for these certifications.

What are your career prospects as a traffic signal technician?

With proper training and ongoing education, traffic signal technicians can advance to supervisory positions. Many technicians move on to project management roles with contractors or technical sales and support for traffic signal product manufacturers or suppliers.

Where will you find work?

Traffic signal technicians work in all sizes of cities.

How much will you make?

Traffic signal technicians have the potential to make a minimum of $70,000 per year based on experience and workload. That's in addition to the attractive benefit packages traffic signal technicians receive. You'll begin earning that wage when you start your apprenticeship training program.

What is the job outlook?

The world of the traffic signal technician is driven by the demands of traffic and technology.