Traffic controller busts popular myth about how much they get paid

A former traffic controller has busted a huge myth about the job after one worker claimed she was earning $600 a day.

A former traffic controller has busted the myth that workers are rolling in cash, dismissing the recent claims of a female operator who went viral after declaring she was pocketing $3000 a week.

Tahera Raedd took to TikTok earlier this month encouraging people to move into the profession of traffic controlling, bragging about her eye-watering earnings which she said saw her pocket up to $600 a day for a 12-hour shift.

“Your sign to be a traffic controller” she captioned the video, shared on April 21.

However, former controller Phil clarified to news.com.au that contrary to popular opinion, traffic control workers “don’t get paid as well as advertised”, and the job itself could be rotten.

“That woman is most likely working at the one construction site – that’s the only explanation that I can think of that involves earning that much cash,” Phil, who did not wish to give his last name, said.

“Usually workers make about $25 an hour, with penalty rates on weekends and holidays which is great if you’re rostered at the one site … but usually you just work two hours here, three hours there and you can end up driving halfway across Sydney for a lousy $100.”

Phil admitted that there were times in his career when he had made earnings equivalent to what Ms Raedd bragged about, but he noted they were few and far between.

Traffic controllers don't earn as much as Tahera Raedd’ TikTok video claims. Picture: TikTok/taheraraedd

“You don’t get assigned a permanent position – you’re on call, you get your work given to you day-to-day – and sometimes they might put you on a three-hour shift that takes an hour and a half to even get to,” he said, adding that often “you end up losing a huge chunk of your money on petrol alone”.

The worst part of the job for Phil though was the combination of working in extreme weather conditions and dealing with abuse from disgruntled motorists – something that he says has led him to have a “healthy dislike of the public”.

“People have thrown their Macca’s at me, they scream and shout at you all the time, I had one guy harass me to turn the sign I was holding around despite oncoming traffic … and then of course you have pedestrians buried in their phones who don’t realise a concrete truck is about to run them over,” he said.

“Sometimes semi-trailer drivers see how close they can drive to where you’re standing just to scare the crap out of you, all while you have to cop 40-degree heat or torrential rain with no respite.”

Traffic controllers are there working rain, hail, abuse or shine. Picture: Marc McCormack

Phil now has a permanent leg injury as a result of standing still for “up to 12 hours at a time”.

“There’s nothing fun about it – it’s not worth the hassle,” he said.

Phil’s advice for people looking to move into the industry for some easy money?

“Find a better job to be honest.”

Originally published as Traffic controller busts popular myth about how much they get paid