How much does a crossing guard make?
a year · about $18 an hour
A typical crossing guard in the United States makes $38,100 a year, about $18 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
At a school crossing, you watch traffic, raise a STOP paddle, and guide children across during busy school hours. At roadwork, you use a stop/slow paddle or signals to hold cars while crews work nearby.
Did you know? Some flaggers can operate stop/slow signals remotely from well away from moving traffic, instead of standing beside the cars.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $30,840 and $61,690How do you become one?
In the U.S., apply to a city, school district, or police department. A high school diploma or GED is common but not always required; some local jobs require applicants to be adults (often 18+), and employers provide training, while roadwork flaggers may need state safety training.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ by location and employer, and more experience or responsibility may mean better pay. School guards often work part-time; roadwork flaggers may need state safety training, and hours worked affect total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($50,610), lowest in New Mexico ($31,460).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,840 | $38,100 | $61,690 | about 94,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $50,610 | about 9,000 |
| Washington | $48,940 | about 3,000 |
| Oregon | $47,110 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $44,730 | about 10,000 |
| New Jersey | $41,600 | about 7,000 |
Official definition: Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes339091.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9091.00
- apps.illinoisworknet.com/cis/clusters/OccupationDetails/100292?parentId=111200&s
- www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/careers/civilians/school-crossing-guard.page
- www.atssa.com/training-certification/state-requirements/
- ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop17042/index.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY