What Does it Take to Be a Crossing Guard?
Career Description Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
Life As a Crossing Guard
- Record license numbers of vehicles disregarding traffic signals, and report infractions to appropriate authorities.
- Monitor traffic flow to locate safe gaps through which pedestrians can cross streets.
- Report unsafe behavior of children to school officials.
- Direct traffic movement or warn of hazards, using signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals.
- Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assigned patrol areas.
- Discuss traffic routing plans and control point locations with superiors.
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Skills Needed to be a Crossing Guard
These are the skills Crossing Guards say are the most useful in their careers:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Other Crossing Guard Job Titles
- Subway Guard
- Traffic Director
- Community Service Officer
- Passenger Flagman
- Substitute Crossing Guard
Is There Job Demand for Crossing Guards?
There were about 74,300 jobs for Crossing Guard in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,300 new jobs for Crossing Guard by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,500 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Crossing Guard are Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Jersey, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Crossing Guard Make?
Crossing Guards make between $19,320 and $47,810 a year.

Crossing Guards who work in Alaska, New York, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Crossing Guards make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $22,770 |
Alaska | $53,960 |
Arizona | $23,300 |
Arkansas | $21,710 |
California | $37,450 |
Colorado | $31,420 |
Delaware | $33,280 |
District of Columbia | $34,890 |
Florida | $25,230 |
Georgia | $29,780 |
Hawaii | $30,870 |
Idaho | $27,520 |
Illinois | $34,010 |
Indiana | $26,650 |
Iowa | $30,260 |
Kansas | $29,500 |
Kentucky | $27,670 |
Louisiana | $24,450 |
Maine | $24,840 |
Maryland | $28,350 |
Massachusetts | $33,840 |
Michigan | $24,670 |
Minnesota | $41,000 |
Mississippi | $23,850 |
Missouri | $30,000 |
Montana | $29,900 |
Nebraska | $23,660 |
Nevada | $27,470 |
New Hampshire | $32,750 |
New Jersey | $32,920 |
New Mexico | $24,980 |
New York | $37,220 |
North Carolina | $24,220 |
North Dakota | $32,510 |
Ohio | $29,650 |
Oklahoma | $21,660 |
Oregon | $33,560 |
Pennsylvania | $30,210 |
Rhode Island | $35,550 |
South Carolina | $24,170 |
South Dakota | $29,200 |
Tennessee | $34,540 |
Texas | $23,050 |
Utah | $26,100 |
Vermont | $31,230 |
Virginia | $29,900 |
Washington | $50,970 |
Wisconsin | $32,100 |
Wyoming | $34,570 |
What Tools & Technology do Crossing Guards Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Crossing Guards may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Word
- Payroll software
How do I Become a Crossing Guard?
What kind of Crossing Guard requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Crossing Guards Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Crossing Guards employed by various industries.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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