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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Traffic Engineer in California is $95,628 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.
However, a Traffic Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Traffic Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,515 | $8,876 | $2,048 | $51 |
| Average | $95,628 | $7,969 | $1,839 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,166 | $7,347 | $1,696 | $42 |
Placement Club - San Francisco, CA
RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY - San Diego, CA
RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY - San Diego, CA
TYPSA INC - Irvine, CA
A Traffic Engineer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Traffic Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Traffic Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Traffic Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $124,317 | $60.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $114,754 | $55.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $114,754 | $55.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $114,754 | $55.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $109,973 | $53.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Traffic Engineer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $106,515 | $8,876 | $2,048 | $51 |
| Average | $95,628 | $7,969 | $1,839 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,166 | $7,347 | $1,696 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Traffic Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Advatix, Inc.
San Diego, CA
Advatix, Inc. | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. . HRforGrowth® is engaged as the talent acquisition partner to conduct thi more
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San Diego, CA
Talent Search PRO | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job title. Principal Traffic Engineer. Location. San Diego, CA. Employment Type. Full-Time. Salary Range. $130,000 – $165... more
6 Days Ago
TKDA
Riverside, CA
TKDA | Riverside, CA
Job Description. Job Description. As a. Senior Professional Engineer / Project Manager - Traffic. you will lead the design and delivery of complex, safe, a... more
10 Days Ago
GreenArrow
EAST CHICAGO, IN
GreenArrow | EAST CHICAGO, IN
Is This Where You’re Meant To Be. At Green Arrow , we believe purpose and passion go hand in hand. So ask yourself, is this where you’re meant to be. The T... more
19 Days Ago
E-Z Bel Construction
AUSTIN, TX
E-Z Bel Construction | AUSTIN, TX
Superintendent - Traffic Signals AUSTIN, TX Staff POSITION SUMMARY The Signals Superintendent leads day-to-day field operations for traffic signal, intelli... more
9 Days Ago
Quality Counts LLC
PINEVILLE, NC
Quality Counts LLC | PINEVILLE, NC
Come be a part of the team that’s leading the way in traffic data collection for the Carolinas. Quality Counts (QC) is hiring an Operations Administrative ... more
7 Days Ago
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