Crossing Guards and Flaggers Salary

The median crossing guards and flaggers salary in the United States is $38,100 per year ($18.32/hour). Salaries range from $30,840 at the entry level to $61,690+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 94,360 crossing guards and flaggers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.6% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary
$38,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.32
per hour
Employment
94,360
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$30,840
25th percentile
$34,430
Median
$38,100
75th percentile
$47,540
90th percentile
$61,690

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3.6%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

18,000
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

No formal educational credential

Training Needed

Short-term on-the-job training

Crossing Guards and Flaggers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for crossing guards and flaggerss.

The BLS lumps two distinct occupations under 33-9091: (1) school crossing guards β€” usually part-time positions held under contract with a municipal police department or school district, working the two daily activity windows around bell times to direct student pedestrian traffic through marked crosswalks near schools; and (2) construction / roadway flaggers β€” usually full-time positions with paving contractors, DOT maintenance divisions, or dedicated traffic-control firms (ACS Flagging Service, Roadsafe Traffic Systems, AWP Safety, Statewide Traffic Safety & Signs), directing traffic through active work zones on state routes, interstates, and utility work. BLS median $38,100 with p10 near $26,000 and p90 above $56,000 across 94,360 jobs β€” that spread almost entirely reflects the school-guard vs flagger split. School crossing guards typically make $17-24/hr and work 10-20 hours/week during the school year (annualized $12-22k). Construction flaggers on prevailing-wage federal / state DOT projects earn $22-38/hr with per-diem, plus significant OT, often clearing $55-75k annually, and prevailing-wage IUOE / LIUNA-covered highway work in metros like Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago can push flagger comp above $80-95k with benefits. Certification (ATSSA Traffic Control Technician, ATSSA Flagger, or state DOT-approved flagger card) is required in almost every state for road-work flagging.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

MUTCD fluency (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices)
The FHWA's MUTCD Part 6 defines legal traffic-control setups in work zones β€” sign spacing (buffer, transition, activity, termination areas), taper lengths based on posted speed and lane width, cone/drum spacing, flagger station location. Every DOT inspector on a road-work site is looking at MUTCD compliance; a flagger who can't reference Part 6 chapters gets replaced.
ATSSA / state DOT flagger certification
American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) runs the industry-standard Flagger Certification (4-hour course, ~$85, valid 4 years). Most state DOTs (Washington DOT, Oregon DOT, Colorado DOT, PennDOT, Virginia DOT) require ATSSA or a state-equivalent card on file before any flagger sets foot on a project. Certification covers STOP/SLOW paddle use, radio protocol, positioning, escape route planning, and truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) coordination.
STOP/SLOW paddle discipline + hand-signal fluency
The paddle is the legal traffic-control device β€” not the vest, not the flag. Flag use is restricted to emergency conditions in most states. Standard sequence: face the driver, present the STOP paddle clearly (not tilted), maintain eye contact, hold position until the driver is fully stopped, then rotate to SLOW only after coordinating with the opposite flagger by radio.
PPE β€” Class 3 hi-vis + hard hat + safety footwear
ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 3 high-visibility apparel is federally required on any Federal-aid highway right-of-way under 23 CFR 634. Class 3 means a fluorescent yellow-green or orange background, 360-degree retroreflective striping, and sleeves. Hard hats meeting ANSI Z89.1 Type I Class E (or Class G for utility), safety footwear meeting ASTM F2413, and impact-rated eye protection round out the daily kit. School crossing guards typically wear a Class 2 vest and reflective sash.
Two-way radio + work-zone communication
Flagger stations on two-way single-lane operations pass control between ends by radio using scripted call-outs β€” 'Last car is the green pickup, releasing traffic your way' β€” with confirmation before releasing traffic. Standard channels are set by the traffic-control plan; some larger projects run channelized dispatchers coordinating multiple flagger pairs, pilot cars, and paving-machine operators.
Child pedestrian supervision + intersection judgment (crossing guards)
School crossing guards work marked school-zone crosswalks under a Site-Specific Guard Assignment approved by the police department's traffic division. Duties include stepping into the crosswalk with a stop paddle to halt traffic when a child is present, coaching students to wait for the guard's signal, watching for turning drivers who may not see pedestrians, and reporting reckless drivers to the guard supervisor for police follow-up. Judgment about when to hold students back vs. release is the core competency.
Escape-route planning + situational awareness
A flagger's single most important habit is knowing where to jump when a driver runs the stop. Standard practice: identify two escape routes before setting up the station, keep the station at least 100 feet ahead of the buffer space, never turn your back on approaching traffic, watch every vehicle until it's stopped or committed through the taper. Highway-work fatalities in this occupation are almost all pedestrian-vs-vehicle incidents.
Site setup + take-down under supervisor direction
Flaggers usually assist with cone setup, sign placement, and channelization at the start of shift and reverse take-down at the end. Standard MUTCD sequence: advance warning signs, transition taper, buffer space, activity area, termination taper β€” set up in that order approaching the work, torn down in reverse. Foreman signs off on the traffic-control plan before work begins.

How to Become a Crossing Guards and Flaggers

  1. 1
    Get a HS diploma or GED; clean driving record + background check
    Neither role legally requires HS completion in most states, but almost every hiring agency screens for it. Background check screens for violent-crime convictions and (for school guards) child-abuse registry. Valid state driver's license is usually required; CDL is NOT required for flagger or crossing-guard work (it's required for the drivers of the pilot cars and work trucks, not flaggers).
  2. 2
    School crossing guard path β€” apply to the municipal PD or school district
    Most school crossing guards are hired by the city police department's traffic division (Chicago PD School Patrol, LAPD Crossing Guard Program, NYPD School Crossing Guard Program) or by the school district's transportation department. Applications go through the city HR portal or school district HR. Pay is typically $17-24/hr, 2-4 hours per school day (morning + afternoon bell windows), no summers, no holidays. Some cities structure it as a civil-service position with a small benefits allocation; most treat it as a part-time / seasonal role.
  3. 3
    Flagger path β€” get ATSSA certified + apply to a contractor or traffic-control firm
    Take the ATSSA Flagger Certification (~$85, half-day) or your state DOT's equivalent (Washington DOT Flagger Card, Oregon DOT Flagger Card, PennDOT Work Zone Traffic Control). Apply to traffic-control specialty firms (ACS Flagging Service, Roadsafe Traffic Systems, AWP Safety, Statewide Traffic Safety) or to prime contractors (Kiewit, Granite Construction, Flatiron, Sundt, Lane Construction) that self-perform flagging. Entry pay $16-22/hr, prevailing wage on Federal-aid projects $22-38/hr, plus per-diem, OT, and shift differential.
  4. 4
    Upgrade to ATSSA Traffic Control Technician (TCT) + Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS)
    TCT is the mid-level ATSSA certification covering setup, inspection, and modification of traffic-control plans. TCS is the supervisor-level cert; TCS holders often lead a 3-6 person flagger crew or run a nightly channelization crew on interstate paving projects. Both certs are 2-3 day courses (~$400-750 each). TCS-certified crew leads at prevailing-wage rates often clear $75-90k/yr with OT.
  5. 5
    Move into related traffic-control work β€” pilot car driver, TMA driver, channelizer foreman
    The next career step for a flagger is usually equipment (Truck-Mounted Attenuator driver β€” a truck with a crashworthy energy-absorbing rear that stages behind the work zone; usually requires a Class B CDL) or crew-lead / foreman work with a traffic-control firm. Some flaggers cross over to Laborers Union (LIUNA) or Operating Engineers (IUOE) apprenticeship programs, which lead to full-scale construction craft careers at $35-55/hr journey-level wages.

Career Progression

School Crossing Guard
0-20+ yrs$17-24/hr Β· 10-20 hrs/wk school year Β· annualized $12-22k
  • β€’Work assigned crosswalk during the morning and afternoon bell windows (typically 7:00-8:30 AM and 2:30-4:00 PM)
  • β€’Halt vehicular traffic with a stop paddle when children are present in or approaching the crosswalk
  • β€’Coach students on when to cross, watch for turning vehicles and reckless drivers
  • β€’Report unsafe drivers to the guard supervisor / PD traffic division for police follow-up; log incident reports
Next: Very few career progression rungs; some guards move to school-district monitor or lead-guard roles.
Entry Flagger
0-2 yrs$16-24/hr non-prevailing Β· $22-32/hr prevailing wage Β· $32-58k annualized w/ OT
  • β€’Work the flagger station on one-lane / two-way operations under a foreman-signed traffic-control plan
  • β€’Present STOP/SLOW paddle per MUTCD Part 6; coordinate release-of-traffic with the opposite flagger by radio
  • β€’Assist setup + take-down of cones, drums, advance warning signs at start and end of shift
  • β€’Report near-miss incidents and unsafe motorists to the foreman for incident-log documentation
Next: Certified Flagger + TCT at 1-3 years.
Certified Flagger / ATSSA TCT
2-5 yrs$22-32/hr non-prevailing Β· $28-42/hr prevailing wage Β· $55-75k annualized w/ OT
  • β€’Own the flagger station on higher-speed corridors (posted 45-65 mph); coordinate pilot car operations
  • β€’Inspect + modify traffic-control setups under the foreman's plan; catch MUTCD non-conformances before DOT inspectors do
  • β€’Train new flaggers; sign off on skill checkoffs after ATSSA classroom
  • β€’Serve as flagger crew lead on 3-4 person setups; run radio net between paired stations
Next: TCS crew lead / channelization foreman at 4-8 years.
ATSSA TCS / Crew Lead / Channelization Foreman
5-12 yrs$32-48/hr Β· $75-105k annualized w/ OT and per-diem on out-of-town paving projects
  • β€’Lead a 3-6 person traffic-control crew on interstate paving, bridge rehabilitation, or urban corridor projects
  • β€’Build and modify traffic-control plans against the project's MUTCD Part 6 requirements; interface with the state DOT inspector
  • β€’Own night-shift channelization on interstate paving β€” set up the taper and buffer before the paving train arrives, tear down after
  • β€’Discipline + performance for the crew; enforce PPE, radio discipline, and escape-route planning
Next: Traffic-Control Superintendent / Estimator, or apprentice into LIUNA / IUOE construction craft.
Traffic-Control Superintendent / Project Manager (traffic-control firm)
12+ yrs$85-135k+ base + bonus + benefits
  • β€’Manage multi-project traffic-control operations for a state / region; interface with prime contractors and state DOT
  • β€’Build and bid traffic-control estimates on state/federal-aid projects; own schedule, staffing, equipment
  • β€’Own compliance with DOT contract flow-downs β€” MUTCD, FHWA Part 6, prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon), EEO reporting
  • β€’Recruit + certify field crews (ATSSA Flagger, TCT, TCS); hold firm's ATSSA training credentials
Next: Regional Operations Manager at national traffic-control firms (Roadsafe, AWP Safety), or independent traffic-control firm ownership.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through the standard MUTCD Part 6 sequence you'd set up for a two-lane rural highway with a 55 mph posted speed and single-lane closure.technical
Reference MUTCD Part 6 directly. Standard sequence approaching the work: (1) Advance warning area β€” 'ROAD WORK AHEAD' + 'ONE LANE ROAD AHEAD' + 'BE PREPARED TO STOP' signs at spacings driven by Table 6C-1 (approx 500 ft between signs on 55 mph rural). (2) Transition area β€” taper length L = W Γ— S per MUTCD Figure 6C-4 (for 12-ft lane at 55 mph, L = 660 ft). (3) Buffer space β€” longitudinal buffer of ~340 ft at 55 mph. (4) Activity area β€” the actual work zone plus the flagger station, minimum 100 ft ahead of the buffer. (5) Termination area β€” 100-ft downstream taper + 'END ROAD WORK' sign. Flagger station on a paddle, not a flag; STOP/SLOW paddle at ANSI Class 3 hi-vis, retroreflective at night. Interviewers screen for whether you can name the areas (advance / transition / buffer / activity / termination) and reference the table + figure numbers.
Q2. What do you do the moment a driver blows past your stop paddle?situational
First move is your own safety β€” go to your pre-planned escape route. Radio your paired flagger immediately: 'Runner northbound white pickup, plate partial ABC-1234, releasing my direction.' Your paired flagger holds all traffic in the other direction to prevent a head-on. If a work crew or pedestrian is in the activity area, additional radio call β€” 'Runner in the zone, hold hold hold.' Get the vehicle description, license plate partial, direction of travel. Document in the incident log at end of shift. Foreman decides whether to call state police for a citation β€” most companies report runners to state highway patrol on any high-speed corridor. Interviewers screen for whether escape-route + paired-flagger coordination is your first instinct.
Q3. Describe how you'd coach a new flagger on their first day.behavioral
Structure: (1) PPE check β€” Class 3 hi-vis in serviceable condition, hard hat, safety toes, eye pro, paddle in hand. (2) Walk the traffic-control plan β€” advance signs, transition taper, buffer, activity, termination. Point at each sign; name it; explain why it's there. (3) Escape-route walk β€” identify two routes from the flagger station; walk them. (4) Paddle discipline β€” face the driver, present STOP squarely, hold until stopped, never SLOW rotation without radio coordination. (5) Radio scripts β€” call-outs, confirmation, 'last car' releases. (6) First hour β€” you shadow, they observe. Second hour β€” they work the station, you shadow. Rest of shift β€” periodic checks. (7) End of shift β€” debrief on 3 things they did right, 1 thing to improve. Interviewers screen for whether you treat coaching as a structured process, not a lecture.
Q4. A student darts into your crosswalk while you have traffic flowing through. What's your response?situational
Immediate step into the crosswalk with STOP paddle raised, using your body as a visual barrier between the student and traffic β€” but never within striking range of a moving vehicle. Halt the student verbally β€” 'Wait right there!' β€” and use your free hand to gesture the student to stop. Continue to make eye contact with the nearest driver. Once traffic is fully stopped, walk the student back to the sidewalk on your side, then release traffic before allowing any student to cross on the proper cycle. Debrief with the student β€” 'You have to wait for me to say go, every time.' Report the incident to the guard supervisor at end-of-shift; if the same student repeats, coordinate with the school principal for a parent conference. Interviewers screen for whether you prioritize the student's safety over any single vehicle interaction.
Q5. Why this work, when you could earn more in a warehouse or driving job?closer
Honest answer: (a) For school crossing guards, the schedule matches parenting or a second job β€” 2-4 hours/day, school-year only, off holidays and summers; many retirees and parents choose it specifically for the schedule. (b) For flaggers, prevailing-wage highway work in metros like Seattle, SF, NY, or Chicago clears $70-95k with OT, plus per-diem when working out-of-town projects, which competes with warehouse and CDL Class A driving on total comp. (c) The work is outdoor, physical, and directly tied to visible outcomes β€” you keep a work zone safe, a school crossing safe. Interviewers screen for whether you understand the actual comp math (especially the prevailing-wage flagger side) and whether you're realistic about the outdoor / weather / traffic-exposure conditions.

Resume Template β€” Certified Flagger / School Crossing Guard (0-2 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Certified Flagger / School Crossing Guard (0-2 yrs)
  • β–ΈATSSA Flagger Certification + [state] DOT flagger card; MUTCD Part 6 fluency, ANSI Class 3 PPE compliant.
  • β–ΈWorked 340 shifts across 18 months on state-route paving, bridge rehab, and utility work zones with zero recordable incidents.
  • β–ΈOSHA 10 (Construction), CPR/AED (American Red Cross), radio-communication scripts at TL-1 and TL-2 traffic levels.
  • β–ΈReferred by 2 prior foremen; strong attendance record (0 unexcused absences in 18 months).

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—No ATSSA / state DOT flagger card β€” screens out of prevailing-wage road work at every DOT-inspected contractor.
  • βœ—Cannot describe MUTCD Part 6 sequence (advance / transition / buffer / activity / termination) β€” foremen and DOT inspectors screen for this in the first 60 seconds on site.
  • βœ—Wears a flag instead of a paddle β€” the STOP/SLOW paddle is the legal traffic-control device under MUTCD; flag use is emergency-only in most states.
  • βœ—No PPE discipline β€” shows up without Class 3 hi-vis in serviceable condition or without a paddle; gets sent home unpaid.
  • βœ—Poor attendance / unreliable β€” flagger crews are 3-6 people; a no-show shuts down the work zone and costs the prime contractor thousands per hour in idle-crew standby.
  • βœ—Turns back to traffic / no escape-route habit β€” the single most-common fatality pattern in flagger deaths is being struck by a driver the flagger didn't see coming.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon on Federal-aid projects; state prevailing wage on state DOT projects) β€” often 40-80% above open-shop rates. Ask which projects are prevailing-wage before accepting a role.
  • βœ“ATSSA TCT + TCS credentials β€” each moves you up $3-8/hr on prevailing-wage projects; some firms reimburse the certification cost after 90 days.
  • βœ“Per-diem for out-of-town projects β€” $50-150/day untaxed IRS Publication 1542 per-diem is standard on projects >50 miles from your home base; ask before accepting an out-of-town rotation.
  • βœ“Night differential β€” 10-15% premium for interstate paving night shifts is standard; some firms pay a flat $2-5/hr add.
  • βœ“OT eligibility β€” flagger OT frequently exceeds 400 hrs/year during paving season; understand the firm's OT approval and mandatory OT rules.
  • βœ“Union apprenticeship crossover β€” LIUNA (Laborers) and IUOE (Operating Engineers) apprenticeships take flagger experience as a credit; journey-level LIUNA / IUOE wages run $35-55/hr on Federal-aid projects with pension + healthcare.
  • βœ“School district / municipal PD crossing-guard benefits β€” some cities (Boston, Chicago, LA) treat school guards as civil-service part-timers with pro-rated health, transit passes, and pension credits; some treat them as pure contractors. Ask which structure applies.

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Crossing Guards and Flaggers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$25K
$60Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

North Dakota
$60K
+58%
California
$51K
+33%
Washington
$49K
+28%
Minnesota
$48K
+26%
Oregon
$47K
+24%
Wyoming
$47K
+24%
South Dakota
$47K
+23%
New Hampshire
$46K
+21%
Vermont
$45K
+19%
New York
$45K
+17%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
North Dakota$60,230+58.1%
California$50,610+32.8%
Washington$48,940+28.5%
Minnesota$48,100+26.2%
Oregon$47,110+23.6%
Wyoming$47,070+23.5%
South Dakota$46,940+23.2%
New Hampshire$45,980+20.7%
Vermont$45,410+19.2%
New York$44,730+17.4%
1–10 of 49

Crossing Guards and Flaggers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Charleston-North Charleston, SC$73,990+94.2%
Salem, OR$62,990+65.3%
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA$62,880+65.0%
Columbus, OH$61,690+61.9%
Vallejo, CA$60,270+58.2%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$58,810+54.4%
Bakersfield-Delano, CA$58,060+52.4%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$57,190+50.1%
Bellingham, WA$56,450+48.2%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$55,700+46.2%
1–10 of 179
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A crossing guards and flaggers earning $38,100/year would need 1564 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1680 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how crossing guards and flaggers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Crossing Guards and Flaggers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’