upper level job

How much does a Traffic Clerk I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Traffic Clerk I in the United States is $49,646 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, a Traffic Clerk I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,489
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,158 to $58,462
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,341

Key Factors That Influence Traffic Clerk I Salaries

A Traffic Clerk I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Traffic Clerk I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Traffic Clerk I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Traffic Clerk I (1-3 years): $49,646
  • Traffic Clerk II (3-5 years): $54,719
  • Traffic Clerk III (5-7 years): $68,522
  • Traffic Supervisor (7+ years): $83,098
  • Traffic Manager (7+ years): $107,468
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Traffic Clerk I1-3 years$49,646
Traffic Clerk II3-5 years$54,719
Traffic Clerk III5-7 years$68,522
Traffic Supervisor7+ years$83,098
Traffic Manager7+ years$107,468

How Do Traffic Clerk Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Traffic Clerk Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $54,968.
  • California: $54,760.
  • Massachusetts: $54,030.

Top Paying Cities for Traffic Clerk I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $62,618
  • San Francisco: $61,933
  • Oakland: $60,628

What Skills Can Increase a Traffic Clerk I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Scheduling (Mentioned in 5.78% Job Postings): Scheduling is the process of arranging, controlling and optimizing work and workloads in a production process or manufacturing process.
  • Warehouse Operations (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): In its simplest form, “warehousing” is the storage of goods until they are needed. The goal of warehouse operations is to satisfy customers' needs and requirements while utilizing space, equipment, and labor effectively.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
Skills Demand Percentage
Scheduling 5.78%
Warehouse Operations 1.98%
Data Entry 0.86%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Traffic Clerk I's salary.

  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 41%.
  • Advertising: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Dedication $70,001
41%
Advertising $60,568
22%
Analysis $60,568
22%

Traffic Clerk I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Traffic Clerk I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $55,576. While startup companies pay approximate $47,016.

Traffic Clerk I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $47,016
Growth Stage 51~500 $49,725
Established 501~5000 $53,668
Enterprise 5000+ $55,576

Traffic Clerk I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Traffic Clerk I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Traffic Clerk positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Traffic Clerk I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Traffic Clerk I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$59,575$29.020%
Pharmaceuticals$59,575$29.020%
Software & Networking$59,575$29.020%
Biotechnology$57,093$27.015%
Energy & Utilities$57,093$27.015%

How Education impacts an Traffic Clerk I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Traffic Clerk I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Traffic Clerk I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $44,467 and $46,822.

Traffic Clerk I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Traffic Clerk I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.7%
High School 53.7%
Associates 16.7%
Bachelors 24.1%
Masters 1.9%
Doctorate 0.0%

Traffic Clerk I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Traffic Clerk I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$42,158
Average $49,646/year
$58,462
$3,513
Average $4,137/month
$4,872
$811
Average $955/week
$1,124
$20
Average $24/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,462 $4,872 $1,124 $28
Average $49,646 $4,137 $955 $24
25th Percentile $42,158 $3,513 $811 $20

Traffic Clerk I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Traffic Clerk I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Traffic Clerk II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $54,719 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Traffic Clerk I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Traffic Clerk I

Here are companies hiring for Traffic Clerk I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Traffic Clerk I

1. Where can a Traffic Clerk I earn the most?

A Traffic Clerk I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Traffic Clerk I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Traffic Clerk I is $62,618.

2. What is the highest pay for Traffic Clerk I?

The highest pay for Traffic Clerk I is $66,489.

3. What is the lowest pay for Traffic Clerk I?

The lowest pay for Traffic Clerk I is $35,341.

4. What are the responsibilities of Traffic Clerk I?

Provides administrative and clerical support for an organization's transportation, freight pricing, and logistics operations. Collects data and reports on shipping rates, transportation costs, and traffic patterns to develop insights on freight movement and transportation expenses. Maintains and updates a database of transportation rates and routes. Documents routing, shipping, and logging information to track and monitor inbound and outbound orders. Contacts transporters for freight pick-up and ensures that cargo is routed appropriately. Prepares and processes bills of lading (BOL) and other shipping documentation. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Traffic Clerk I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Traffic Clerk I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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