At intersections, roadways, or transit corridors, you count vehicles, pedestrians, or transit riders — supporting transportation studies, traffic-signal timing, transit-route planning, and the data work behind transportation decisions.
In the field at counting stations, the day runs between observation periods and the data-recording log — vehicles passing in counted intervals, pedestrians crossing at recorded times, transit riders boarding through observed windows. You're often stationed at a single location for hours of focused observation. Counts captured accurately and study-data integrity anchor the visible measures.
Where it gets demanding is the sustained-attention requirement — extended observation periods test concentration, and the work's value depends on the counter's discipline. Variance across employers is real: at state and municipal transportation agencies traffic counters work within structured study programs; at engineering consultancies the role tends to be project-driven across multiple study locations.
It fits people who are observation-disciplined, weather-tolerant, and patient with focused counting work. The trade-off is outdoor work and the attention demands of extended observation periods. Transportation-industry credentials anchor advancement.
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Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
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Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths
View all Admin & Office roles →At intersections, roadways, or transit corridors, you count vehicles, pedestrians, or transit riders — supporting transportation studies, traffic-signal timing, transit-route planning, and the data work behind transportation decisions.
Median pay for a Traffic Counter is about $46K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $35K to $60K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Monitoring, and Social Perceptiveness.
Most people in this role hold a high school diploma.
Employment in this field is projected to decline about 4.8% through 2034, with roughly 49,720 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Inventory Control Specialist, Senior Inventory Control Specialist, and Inventory Specialist.
Remember “your permanent record”?
This time it works for you.