Crossing Guard

Crossing Guard performs hands-on duties and this page contains 20 real tasks demonstrating what a typical day includes. Each task shows who benefits, what matters most, and the common time pressures. Each one shows where we found it, and comes with an AI prompt you can copy and use straight away.

20evidenced tasks
20ready prompts
2tools of the trade
33-9091.00O*NET-SOC code
94,360hold this job (US, BLS 2025)
$38,100median pay/yr (US)
Open Crossing Guard in the interactive atlas →

What it pays

Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.

Half of all Crossing Guards and Flaggers in the U.S. earn more than $38,100 a year — the middle 80% land between $30,840 and $61,690. About 94,360 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Crossing Guards and Flaggers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Service and sales workers earn about ₹15,575 a month on average — around ₹1.9 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$38,100typical pay / year
94,360people in this work
$61,690+top 10% earn
₹1.9 lakha year in India (family avg)
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The work, task by task

These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.

Move4

Escort pedestrians across streets

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Stand at the north crosswalk during morning school run, hold traffic with the stop paddle to create a safe…
Stand at the north crosswalk during morning school run, hold traffic with the stop paddle to create a safe gap, shepherd the group of ten children and three adults across, watch for turning vehicles, and return children to the curb before releasing traffic.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia

Observe traffic

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Position at the intersection of Maple and Third during the 3–4pm slot, observe vehicle flow and note any…
Position at the intersection of Maple and Third during the 3–4pm slot, observe vehicle flow and note any drivers running red lights or ignoring stop signs, record vehicle descriptions and plate numbers for incidents and report repeat offenders to the supervisor.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOjob descriptionsWikipedia

Stop speeding vehicles

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When a vehicle approaches above the posted limit, signal it to stop at the curb, note make, model and plate,…
When a vehicle approaches above the posted limit, signal it to stop at the curb, note make, model and plate, keep the driver calm while explaining the safety reason, radio the plate and location to the traffic controller, and hand the file to the enforcement officer on arrival.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET

Use signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals to warn or direct

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Stand at the corner of Elm and 3rd during the morning school run, hold the STOP paddle until traffic is…
Stand at the corner of Elm and 3rd during the morning school run, hold the STOP paddle until traffic is halted, wave the fluorescent flag to stop vehicles, use the hand lantern to guide the last car through, and shepherd the group across while monitoring pedestrian pace and signal timing.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard Schedulingjob descriptionsWikipedia
Get approval1

Report infractions to authorities

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After witnessing illegal turns and signal violations over my shift, compile a concise report with dates,…
After witnessing illegal turns and signal violations over my shift, compile a concise report with dates, times, vehicle descriptions and any witness names, attach photos or dash-cam stills, email the packet to the local traffic authority and copy the school principal.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
The daily work15

Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assigned patrol areas.

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Walk each assigned patrol route with the field map, photograph and note the exact location, wording and…
Walk each assigned patrol route with the field map, photograph and note the exact location, wording and mounting height of every traffic sign, mark why each sign is there and any sightline problems before next Monday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Discuss traffic routing plans and control-point locations with superiors.

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Meet Tom in operations and go over the proposed routing maps, point to where control points should sit,…
Meet Tom in operations and go over the proposed routing maps, point to where control points should sit, explain staffing needs for each location and agree which of my suggested changes we will pilot on Thursday morning.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingO*NET

Inform drivers of detour routes through construction sites.

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Position at the north entrance of the work zone, stop approaching drivers, explain the signed detour route…
Position at the north entrance of the work zone, stop approaching drivers, explain the signed detour route clearly, direct them onto Elm Street and note any drivers refusing instructions, then report back to the site foreman at shift end.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET

Record license numbers of vehicles disregarding signals

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When a vehicle runs a signal, record the license plate, time, vehicle description and direction of travel,…
When a vehicle runs a signal, record the license plate, time, vehicle description and direction of travel, photograph the vehicle if safe, and file the incident log with dispatch before you finish shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions

Road traffic laws

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Review the local road traffic laws summary, highlight rules that apply to adult and school crossing…
Review the local road traffic laws summary, highlight rules that apply to adult and school crossing behaviour, list three points to remind parents and two enforcement actions to suggest to the supervisor by Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Traffic signs

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Walk each corner and catalogue every traffic sign type, condition and visibility issue, prioritise any…
Walk each corner and catalogue every traffic sign type, condition and visibility issue, prioritise any damaged or obscured regulatory signs for immediate replacement, and email the prioritized list to maintenance by Friday.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOsee the evidence ↗

React calmly in stressful situations

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When a driver, parent, or cyclist behaves aggressively or a vehicle blocks the crossing, stay calm, secure…
When a driver, parent, or cyclist behaves aggressively or a vehicle blocks the crossing, stay calm, secure the children behind the curb, call the school office if help or police are needed, log the incident in the daily incident book before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Use signalling equipment

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Before duty, test the whistle and stop paddle for sound and visibility, wear the high-visibility vest, use…
Before duty, test the whistle and stop paddle for sound and visibility, wear the high-visibility vest, use clear, steady paddle signals to stop traffic, then escort children across keeping the paddle facing drivers until all are clear.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Interpret traffic signals

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At the crossing, watch pedestrian lights and vehicle signals, confirm the green walking man or…
At the crossing, watch pedestrian lights and vehicle signals, confirm the green walking man or officer-controlled stop is visible to drivers, delay children's crossing if signals are obscured or conflicting and notify the supervisor immediately.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Regulate traffic

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When traffic becomes heavy or drivers ignore signals, position yourself visibly at the curb, use the paddle…
When traffic becomes heavy or drivers ignore signals, position yourself visibly at the curb, use the paddle and whistle to create a safe gap, direct cars to stop and keep children in a single file until the road is clear.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOsee the evidence ↗

Stay alert

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Remain vigilant for the whole shift: scan both approaches every 10 seconds, rotate posture to avoid fixation,…
Remain vigilant for the whole shift: scan both approaches every 10 seconds, rotate posture to avoid fixation, check mirrors and blind spots, and report any fatigue or medical issue to the school office before your break.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOsee the evidence ↗

Local geography

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Know the streets, pedestrian desire lines and safest crossing points; brief relief staff on shortcut routes,…
Know the streets, pedestrian desire lines and safest crossing points; brief relief staff on shortcut routes, bus stops and where drivers park, and mark any new hazards in the handover note at the end of shift.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOsee the evidence ↗

Monitor traffic flow

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Watch the junction during morning and afternoon shifts, note vehicle volumes and any driver non-compliance,…
Watch the junction during morning and afternoon shifts, note vehicle volumes and any driver non-compliance, radio the supervisor immediately if flow slows or risks a school run, and log incidents in the shift report before end of shift.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOsee the evidence ↗

Direct pedestrians in public places like streets nearby schools or railways

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Stand at the school crossing before classes, position yourself to be visible, guide children and parents…
Stand at the school crossing before classes, position yourself to be visible, guide children and parents across in safe groups using arm signals and the lollipop sign, keep vehicles stopped until the group clears, and brief the duty supervisor on any hazards at shift end.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOsee the evidence ↗

Hold a stop sign towards the vehicles

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Hold the stop sign facing approaching traffic when pedestrians step onto the crossing, lock the sign steady,…
Hold the stop sign facing approaching traffic when pedestrians step onto the crossing, lock the sign steady, make eye contact with drivers to confirm they stop, keep the sign raised until the last pedestrian has fully cleared, then lower and signal traffic to proceed.
The tools that do the workVisual Computer Solutions Crossing Guard SchedulingESCOsee the evidence ↗

Says who?

These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.

O*NET 33-9091.00BLS pay surveyBLS OEWS 2025UK NOS SFJFE1WikipediaESCOnccareers.orgmycareer.nj.govwhat people in this job say

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