Traffic control salary: what the data shows about pay for road traffic controllers

What is a traffic control salary?

A traffic control salary is the pay earned by road traffic controllers—workers who direct vehicles and pedestrians around roadworks, events, or emergencies using stop-slow signs and radios. The keyword "traffic control salary" is often searched by people considering this role or negotiating pay. This article looks at what public data says about pay for traffic controllers, how it compares to national benchmarks, and what factors like awards, super, and tax mean for take-home pay.

The national pay line

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, giving an index of 48.2. Entry-level award rates start at $25.74 per hour. Casual workers get a 25% loading, taking the minimum to $33.05 per hour.

Traffic controllers often work in construction, where award rates are higher than the minimum. But without a published median, we cannot place a typical traffic control salary on the index. The ABS does not release median weekly earnings for this occupation (ANZSCO 899923) because the sample is too small.

What the data shows

Jobs and Skills Australia profiles road traffic controllers using 2021 Census data and the 2025 ABS earnings survey. Key points:

• Employment: 16,100 workers, with 48% part-time. That is higher than the all-occupations part-time share of 36%.
• Full-time hours: Average 45 hours per week for full-time workers, slightly above the national average of 44 hours.
• Demographics: Median age 43, female share 33% (compared to 49% across all occupations).
• Industries: Public Administration and Safety (likely local council traffic control), Construction, and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (traffic management companies).
• States: New South Wales has 30.1% of traffic controllers, Victoria 27.6%, Queensland 24.0%, Western Australia 10.7%.

Median weekly earnings are marked "N/A" because the ABS cannot produce a reliable figure for a 6-digit occupation. This means any quoted traffic control salary is either an award rate, an advertised wage, or an estimate.

How pay is set

Most traffic controllers are covered by a modern award. The most common is the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 (MA000020), which includes classifications like "Traffic Controller" (Level 1 or 2). Pay rates in that award for 2026 (after the 4.75% increase from 1 July) are roughly:

• Level 1: around $26.50–$28.00 per hour
• Level 2: around $28.50–$30.00 per hour

These are base rates. Penalty rates apply for overtime, weekends, and public holidays. Casual workers get the 25% loading. Some traffic controllers employed by state road authorities may be covered by the Clerks Private Sector Award or a state-specific award.

To find the exact rate, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or the Pay and Conditions Tool. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database also has spreadsheets with all classifications, allowances, and penalty rates.

Gross pay, super, and tax

Let's take an example: a full-time traffic controller in NSW earning $28 per hour, working 45 hours a week (the average for full-time controllers). That is $1,260 per week gross, or $65,520 per year. This is below the national full-time ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, so the index would be about 60.5.

Super: The employer must pay 12% super guarantee on ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). On $65,520, that is $7,862.40 per year, paid into a super fund.

Tax: For 2026–27, a resident earning $65,520 pays:

• Nil on first $18,200
• 15% on $18,201–$45,000 = $4,020
• 30% on $45,001–$65,520 = $6,156
• Plus 2% Medicare levy on total income = $1,310.40
• Total tax and Medicare: $11,486.40
• Take-home pay: $54,033.60 per year, or $1,039 per week.

If the same worker is casual at $33.05 per hour (including loading), weekly gross is $1,487.25, annual $77,337. Super is still 12% on the base rate (excluding loading), so about $7,862 again. Tax would be higher: about $15,000, leaving $62,337 take-home.

State and industry context

Traffic control salary can vary by state. Using the states index, NSW has an index of 101.2, meaning average earnings are slightly above the national line. Victoria is 98, Queensland 97.9, Western Australia 106.9. A traffic controller in WA might earn more due to higher award rates or market pressure, but the data does not confirm this.

Industries where traffic controllers work also differ. Construction has an index of 154.7 (mining is even higher), but traffic controllers are not necessarily paid at the industry average. Public Administration and Safety has an index of 97.8, close to the national line.

The bottom line

A precise traffic control salary is hard to pin down because the ABS does not publish median earnings for this occupation. However, award rates and industry data give a range. Most traffic controllers earn between $26 and $33 per hour, with casual workers at the higher end. Full-time annual gross pay is typically $55,000–$75,000, putting the index between 50 and 70. That is below the national average but above the minimum wage.

To get an accurate figure for your situation, check the relevant modern award or use the Salary Index to compare your pay against the national line. Remember that super and tax change the picture: super adds 12% to your retirement savings, and tax takes roughly 15–25% of gross income depending on your bracket.

FAQs

See the FAQs above for answers to common questions about traffic control salary, super, tax, and awards.