Crossing Guards and Flaggers
SOC code 33-9091 · O*NET-SOC 33-9091.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Crossing Guards and Flaggers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$38,100
a year
Hourly
$18.32
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,350
$20.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$34,430 – $47,540
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$30,840 – $61,690
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
94,360
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $30,840
- $14.83/hr
- 25th percentile
- $34,430
- $16.55/hr
- Median percentile
- $38,100
- $18.32/hr
- 75th percentile
- $47,540
- $22.86/hr
- 90th percentile
- $61,690
- $29.66/hr
What do crossing guards and flaggers do?
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Direct or escort pedestrians across streets, stopping traffic, as necessary.
- Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as street and railroad crossings and construction sites.
- Monitor traffic flow to locate safe gaps through which pedestrians can cross streets.
- Communicate traffic and crossing rules and other information to students and adults.
- Direct traffic movement or warn of hazards, using signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals.
- Distribute traffic control signs and markers at designated points.
- Report unsafe behavior of children to school officials.
- Stop speeding vehicles to warn drivers of traffic laws.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 73% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)73%
- Less than a High School Diploma18%
- Some College Courses6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate3%
Common questions
How much does a crossing guards and flaggers earn?
The national median is $38,100 a year. The full range runs from $30,840 at the 10th percentile to $61,690 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a crossing guards and flaggers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.1/5
- Active Listening2.9/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
- Critical Thinking2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- English Language3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.