Protective Service
Crossing Guards and Flaggers
Also called: Adult Crossing Guard, Community Service Officer, Crossing Guard, Road Crossing Guard
US median pay
$38,100
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
17,300
94,800 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
What they do 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.
- Report unsafe behavior of children to school officials.
- Record license numbers of vehicles disregarding traffic signals, and report infractions to appropriate authorities.
- Distribute traffic control signs and markers at designated points.
- Stop speeding vehicles to warn drivers of traffic laws.
- Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assigned patrol areas.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Service Orientation2.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8/5
- Coordination2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.4/5
- Persuasion2.1/5
- Negotiation2.1/5
- Time Management2.0/5
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Law and Government2.4/5
- Psychology2.4/5
- Education and Training2.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma73%
- Less than high school18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.