Crossing Guards and Flaggers
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
Also called: Adult Crossing Guard, Campus Supervisor, Community Service Officer, Construction Site Crossing Guard, Crossing Flagman, Crossing Gateman
Median pay
$38,100
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$30,840 – $61,690
People employed
94,360
Holland code
RCS
Realistic · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 5.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 6.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Crossing Guards and Flaggers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What crossing guards and flaggers do
- 01Direct or escort pedestrians across streets, stopping traffic, as necessary.
- 02Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as street and railroad crossings and construction sites.
- 03Monitor traffic flow to locate safe gaps through which pedestrians can cross streets.
- 04Communicate traffic and crossing rules and other information to students and adults.
- 05Direct traffic movement or warn of hazards, using signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals.
- 06Distribute traffic control signs and markers at designated points.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Psychology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from crossing guards and flaggers
- Parking Enforcement Workers83% · +23%
- Transit and Railroad Police82% · +137%
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers79% · +100%
- Flight Attendants79% · +67%
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance77% · +32%
Change into crossing guards and flaggers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Orderlies77% · $38,290
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners75% · $35,510
- Parking Enforcement Workers75% · $46,730
- Shampooers74% · $32,600
- Animal Caretakers73% · $35,360