Traffic controller shares eye-watering salary

A Queensland mum who works as a traffic controller has shared the eye-watering amount she earns, and the “biggest challenge” she faces in the construction industry.

A traffic controller has generated fiery debate online after claiming to earn up to $200,000 a year cashing in on lucrative penalty rates and loading benefits.

Queenslander Suzie Rose was stopped in her work gear for an impromptu street interview about her career.

“Usually we are the first on the job and the last (to leave),” Ms Rose said.

The mother said one of the biggest challenges traffic controllers faced was “ignorance” from the public.

“A young person is not asked a single question of what do you do when you approach roadworks,” she said.

“There should be more awareness because it is a high risk job.”

Ms Rose said it was getting easier for women in construction as their presence in the industry continued to grow.

The video was created by Getahead – a Brisbane-based tech start-up that bills itself as “like Tinder, but for jobs” where jobseekers create a profile and swipe right on roles they’re attracted to.

Queensland mum Suzie Rose, who works as a traffic controller, lifted the lid on her industry in a candid street interview. Picture: TikTok/Getahead

Reaction to the clip, which was shared to TikTok, was mixed but focused largely on her salary.

“I own a traffic control company in Sydney for 12 years and I’m sure she doesn’t make that much money,” wrote one skeptic.

“It’s between 39k-80k depending om experience. But, traffic control is not bed of roses. They have their favourites and you will be lucky to get five hours (of work),” claimed another.

Others defended Ms Rose’s claim.

“It’s not a joke. Light rail on the Gold Coast at the moment night shift traffic control are on over $90 an hour,” wrote one.

Ms Rose said she earned up to $200,000 a year. NCA NewsWire/Philip Gostelow

Last month the Construction, Forestry, Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) flagged a new workplace deal that would see construction workers- including traffic controllers- net “at least” a five per cent pay rise.

According to the Herald Sun, the deal would mean basic labourers and traffic controllers would earn more than $2000 a week over the three-year agreement, and another $260 a week in a travel allowance.

The new deal prompted backlash over the high pay rate as well as defence of tradies.

“Everyone is allowed to increase the cost of everything but we are not allowed to increase wages — fair dinkum? We want a pay rise to keep up with the cost of living and we are not allowed? We are not going to be the sacrificial lambs,” CFMEU boss John Setka told the Herald Sun.

Ms Rose was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.

Originally published as Traffic controller shares eye-watering salary