Is Traffic Control a Good Job? An Honest Look for Beginners

Thinking about starting a career in traffic control but unsure if it’s the right fit? I get it. After 17 years in this industry, I’ve seen thousands of people come and go—some lasting a day, others building decades-long careers. Let me give you the unfiltered truth about what this job really involves, who thrives in it, and what you can expect when you pick up that stop/slow bat for the first time.

What Does a Traffic Controller Actually Do?

When most people think of traffic controllers, they picture someone holding a stop/slow bat on a roadwork site. While that’s certainly part of the job, the role encompasses much more.

Traffic controllers are safety professionals responsible for:

Directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic around hazards and work zones
Setting up and maintaining traffic control devices according to approved plans
Communicating with drivers, work crews, and team members via hand signals and radios
Monitoring changing site conditions to ensure everyone’s safety
Recording incidents and maintaining site documentation

Depending on your employer and location, you might work on urban road repairs, highway construction, special events, emergency situations, or even mining sites. Some days you’ll be part of a large team; other days, you might be one of just two controllers managing a site.

The Pros of Working in Traffic Control

Accessible Entry Point

Traffic control offers one of the most accessible entry points into the construction and infrastructure industries. Just about anyone can complete their tickets in a couple of days and (in Australia) be making around $35 an hour almost immediately. This makes it an excellent option for:

People changing careers
Those entering or re-entering the workforce
Anyone looking for quick employment without extensive training
Business owners, athletes, or creatives
Anyone else looking for a casual or short-term income

Solid Income Potential

While entry-level positions start at standard rates, reliable traffic controllers quickly become valued team members. As our First Day Kit reveals, “A true gun gets offered night shifts, away work, shutdowns, or FIFO, and often finds themselves driving a company vehicle with free fuel pretty quickly.”

The income potential increases significantly for those willing to: - Work night shifts (which typically offer higher pay rates) - Take on rural or remote projects - Progress to team leader or supervisor roles - Gain additional certifications

See the World (or at least your corner of it)

One often overlooked benefit is the variety of locations and projects you’ll experience. As we mention in our First Day Kit:

“From mountain highways to backcountry gravel roads to service alleys in the city and underground structures you’d never know were there, you’ll get to work in places most people never get to see and, most importantly, you’ll be paid well to be there.”

Many traffic controllers report this as one of their favorite aspects of the job—no two days are exactly alike, and you’ll develop a unique perspective on how infrastructure actually works.

Build Valuable Connections

The traffic control industry brings together people from all walks of life. You’ll work alongside:

Road construction crews
Engineers and project managers
Emergency services personnel
Event coordinators
Fellow controllers from diverse backgrounds

These connections often lead to friendships, mentorships, and even career advancement opportunities that wouldn’t be available in more isolated professions.

The Challenges of Traffic Control (The Honest Truth)

While we genuinely believe traffic control can be an excellent career choice for the right person, we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t address the challenges head-on.

Physical Demands

Let’s not sugarcoat it—traffic control is not a desk job. You will: - Stand for extended periods (sometimes 10-12 hours) - Work in all weather conditions (I’ve done shifts in 45°C heat and pouring rain) - Need to maintain focus when it feels like nothing’s happening for hours - Sometimes go way too long without proper breaks

The rulebook says you get regular breaks and reasonable shift lengths. The reality? I’ve seen TCs stuck on the bat for six hours straight because someone called in sick and there was no replacement. As we say in our First Day Kit: “Fatigue and safety rules exist, but the job has to be done. You can complain like most people do OR you can bring snacks, stretch when you can, and embrace the suck.”

If you’re not comfortable being physically uncomfortable sometimes, this probably isn’t the job for you. But if you can handle it, you’ll develop a resilience that serves you well in all aspects of life.

Safety Considerations

Let’s be completely transparent: traffic control involves inherent risks. You’re working around heavy machinery and sometimes-distracted drivers. Our First Day Kit doesn’t sugar-coat this reality:

“Every year, traffic controllers who do things ‘by the book’ are injured or killed. Rules are there to keep you safe, but people make mistakes and the rules won’t protect you if you’re not paying attention.”

This doesn’t mean you should be scared—but it does mean you need to be vigilant and take safety seriously at all times.

Work Environment Realities

The traffic control industry has its own culture, and it’s not always politically correct. As our First Day Kit notes:

“Roadwork attracts all sorts of people – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We are generally not a politically correct bunch and you WILL hear things you might find offensive, that’s just part of the job. If you’ve got thin skin, traffic may not be the industry for you.”

While industry standards are improving, it’s important to understand the environment you’re entering.

Unpredictable Scheduling

One final challenge worth mentioning is the sometimes unpredictable nature of the work. Jobs can: - Run much longer than initially scheduled - Be canceled at the last minute due to weather or other factors - Require early morning or late night start times - Change locations with little notice

This unpredictability can be difficult for those who need strict scheduling consistency.

Who Thrives in Traffic Control?

After years in the industry, we’ve noticed certain traits that tend to predict success:

Personality Traits

The most successful traffic controllers tend to be: - Self-reliant and resourceful - Alert and observant - Good communicators - Level-headed under pressure - Able to maintain focus during repetitive tasks - Not afraid to speak up about safety concerns

Physical Considerations

While you don’t need to be an athlete, you should be comfortable: - Standing for long periods - Working in varying weather conditions - Wearing required safety gear all day - Maintaining vigilance even during slow periods

Lifestyle Compatibility

Traffic control works best for people who: - Can handle early morning start times - Are able to adapt to schedule changes - Have reliable transportation - Can pack proper meals and stay hydrated without frequent access to facilities

As our First Day Kit candidly states: “If you’re here for easy money and cruisy shifts, you’re in the wrong industry. If you’re here to do a solid day’s work and keep people safe, read on.”

Getting Started: First Steps

If you’ve read the challenges and still feel traffic control might be for you, here are the practical first steps:

Research certification requirements in your state/territory
In Australia, requirements vary by state (NSW, QLD, VIC, WA)
Training is provided by Registered Training Organizations (RTOs)
Complete required training
Typically involves both classroom and practical components
Usually takes 2-3 days to complete
Prepare your essential gear
While employers provide basic equipment, having your own quality items helps
Our First Day Kit includes a comprehensive packing list
Apply to multiple companies
Traffic control companies frequently hire, but individual fit matters
Apply to several to find the right team culture
Be thoroughly prepared for your first day
First impressions are crucial in this industry
Showing up prepared demonstrates your professionalism

The Bottom Line: Is Traffic Control Right for You?

Look, I’m not here to sell you a fairytale. Traffic control can be tough, unpredictable, and sometimes downright frustrating. But it can also be an excellent career with solid pay, interesting experiences, and a sense of real accomplishment. It’s especially good for those who: - Value variety over routine - Want to be part of building essential infrastructure - Prefer physical work to desk jobs - Are looking for accessible entry into the construction industry

But let’s be honest—it’s not for everyone. The physical demands, safety considerations, and work environment realities mean it’s best suited to certain personalities and preferences.

If you’re serious about giving this a shot, download our free First Day Kit to get insider tips that most training courses don’t cover. This comprehensive guide will help you avoid the mistakes I’ve seen thousands of new TCs make over the years, including:

What to pack for your first shift (beyond the obvious)
Five common mistakes almost every new TC makes (and how to avoid them)
Hard truths about the industry you should know before starting
A night-before checklist to ensure you’re fully prepared

Don’t wait until after your first shift to learn these essential lessons—get prepared now and start your traffic control career with confidence. And remember, when you download the First Day Kit, you’re not just getting a PDF—you’re joining #TeamTraffic, a community of controllers helping each other succeed.

Click here to download the FREE Traffic Control Academy First Day Kit

About the author: Roger has 17 years of experience in the Traffic Management industry, working his way up from a green TC to managing major infrastructure projects across Australia. Through various roles from Supervisor to National Safety Manager, he’s personally trained hundreds of new controllers and witnessed thousands of people enter and exit the industry. This extensive experience has helped him identify what truly makes a top gun in Traffic Management and recognize the significant gap between RTO-delivered training and real-world job expectations. Roger founded Traffic Control Academy with a commitment to helping newcomers avoid the common pitfalls that push so many out of the industry within their first month.

Traffic Control Academy brings together industry professionals at all experience levels to create a collaborative learning community. Our mission is to provide traffic controllers with relatable training resources based on real-world knowledge, while building a space where controllers can share insights, ask questions, and support each other’s growth. By joining Traffic Control Academy, you’re not just downloading a resource—you’re becoming part of a movement to transform how traffic controllers learn, connect, and advance in their careers.