Occupation · SOC 33-9091
Crossing Guards and Flaggers
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
Median wage
$37,700
$29,940–$61,440
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
90,180
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
1 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringActive ListeningService OrientationJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationWritingTime ManagementSystems AnalysisLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems EvaluationOperations MonitoringMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingManagement of Financial ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceRepairingProgrammingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageLaw and GovernmentPsychologyEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationAdministration and ManagementCommunications and MediaAdministrativeMathematicsForeign LanguageTelecommunicationsSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingGeographyComputers and ElectronicsMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyEngineering and TechnologyEconomics and AccountingDesignMechanicalBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingChemistryBiologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Microsoft WordPayroll softwareVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard Scheduling
Representative tasks
Getting InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsHandling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAnalyzing Data or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersThinking CreativelyProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesWorking with ComputersSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Pedestrian crossings — direct pedestrians across streets under close supervisor guidance at a designated school or intersection.Stop-and-go hand signals — follow standard hand signal protocols to halt vehicle traffic under direct instruction at a supervised crossing site.Traffic flow observation — monitor vehicular movement to identify basic safe gaps for pedestrian crossings with supervisor oversight.Safety flags and signs — use handheld flags, signs, and lanterns to warn approaching drivers of a crossing zone as trained.Crossing rules communication — relay basic traffic and crossing rules to students using simple spoken instructions at a school crossing.Hazardous behavior recognition — identify and report unsafe pedestrian or student behavior to school officials following established reporting steps.License plate documentation — record license numbers of vehicles disregarding traffic signals and submit written notes to a supervisor for follow-up.Personal protective equipment — wear high-visibility vest and appropriate gear consistently at every assigned crossing post.Radio and verbal communication — use basic radio or verbal communication to relay crossing status to a supervisor during a scheduled shift.Assigned post schedule — arrive at and depart from the assigned crossing station on time by referencing a posted or digital schedule.
developing
Pedestrian escort procedures — independently escort groups of pedestrians, including children and elderly individuals, across busy intersections without ongoing supervisor direction.Traffic gap selection — assess vehicle speed and volume to select appropriate crossing gaps for pedestrians during routine morning and afternoon rush periods.Multi-modal traffic coordination — guide both vehicular and pedestrian traffic simultaneously at street intersections and railroad crossings with minimal oversight.Construction site flagging — control one-lane traffic alternation at active construction zones using flags and communication with equipment operators.Behavioral guidance communication — explain crossing safety rules and expectations clearly to students, parents, and adult pedestrians across a range of situations.Infraction reporting — document and report repeated signal-disregarding incidents with accurate vehicle descriptions and license numbers to the appropriate authority.Situational hazard assessment — recognize changing weather, lighting, or traffic conditions and adjust crossing timing or signaling methods accordingly.Conflict de-escalation — use calm, respectful verbal communication to manage disagreements between drivers and pedestrians at a crossing site.Shift recordkeeping — maintain accurate daily logs of crossing activity, notable incidents, and student counts using word processing or scheduling software.Peer orientation support — demonstrate correct flagging and signaling techniques to newly assigned crossing personnel during on-the-job learning periods.
proficient
Complex intersection management — autonomously manage high-volume pedestrian and vehicle crossings at multi-lane intersections or active school zones during peak periods.Non-routine hazard response — identify and respond to unexpected hazards such as accidents, medical emergencies, or signal failures using independent judgment at a crossing site.Adaptive signaling strategy — select and apply the most effective combination of flags, signs, lanterns, and hand signals based on real-time traffic and environmental conditions.Cross-agency incident reporting — compile thorough incident reports and coordinate directly with law enforcement or school administrators regarding serious traffic infractions or safety violations.Selective attention under pressure — maintain consistent awareness of multiple pedestrian groups and vehicle streams simultaneously during high-congestion school dismissal periods.Community safety education — lead brief safety briefings for students, school staff, or community groups to communicate updated traffic rules and crossing protocols.Long-term behavioral pattern recognition — track recurring driver infractions or unsafe pedestrian habits over time and escalate findings to relevant school or municipal authorities.Scheduling and coverage coordination — use calendar and scheduling software to manage post coverage, communicate shift changes, and ensure no crossing is left unattended.Equipment inspection and readiness — inspect all assigned signaling and safety equipment before each shift and initiate replacement or repair requests for defective items.Mentorship of developing staff — coach mid-level crossing guards on situational judgment, communication techniques, and safety compliance during supervised field sessions.
advanced
Program-level safety strategy — develop and implement site-specific pedestrian safety plans for a network of school crossings or construction corridors across a municipality.Policy interpretation and application — translate updated municipal or state traffic regulations into revised crossing protocols communicated to all assigned personnel.Workforce training design — create structured on-the-job training curricula for new and returning crossing guards aligned to local safety requirements and O*NET task standards.Performance oversight — evaluate crossing guard performance across multiple sites using observation, incident report data, and community feedback to drive quality improvement.Interagency safety coordination — serve as the primary liaison between school districts, transportation departments, and law enforcement to align pedestrian safety initiatives.Technology and recordkeeping systems — lead adoption and staff training for scheduling, human resources, and documentation software tools used across a crossing guard program.Incident trend analysis — analyze patterns in reported traffic infractions, near-miss events, and behavioral incidents to recommend systemic improvements to crossing locations or staffing.Community relations leadership — represent the crossing guard program at public meetings, school board sessions, or community events to build trust and communicate safety outcomes.Resource and budget stewardship — manage equipment procurement, scheduling resources, and staffing budgets to ensure program coverage meets operational and safety standards.Organizational culture of safety — model and reinforce dependability, integrity, and cautiousness as organizational values that define professional conduct across the entire crossing guard workforce.
Also known as
29 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Adult Crossing GuardCampus SupervisorCommunity Service OfficerConstruction Site Crossing GuardCrossing FlagmanCrossing GatemanCrossing GuardCrossing TenderCrossing WatchmanDraw TenderFlaggerFlagmanFreight FlagmanGate OperatorGuardMonitorPassenger FlagmanPatrol LadyPatrol MotherRail Signal WorkerRoad Crossing GuardSchool AideSchool Crossing GuardSchool Traffic GuardSubstitute Crossing GuardSubway GuardTraffic AttendantTrain Gate AttendantTrain Gateman