Crossing guards and flaggers
SOC Code: 33-9091
Crossing guards and flaggers carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,700 and +3.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 91,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Crossing guards and flaggers (SOC 33-9091) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 91,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.6% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $37,700, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Crossing guards and flaggers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Direct or escort pedestrians across streets, stopping traffic, as necessary.
- 2. Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as street and railroad crossings and construction sites.
- 3. Monitor traffic flow to locate safe gaps through which pedestrians can cross streets.
- 4. Communicate traffic and crossing rules and other information to students and adults.
- 5. Direct traffic movement or warn of hazards, using signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals.
- 6. Distribute traffic control signs and markers at designated points.
- 7. Report unsafe behavior of children to school officials.
- 8. Stop speeding vehicles to warn drivers of traffic laws.
- 9. Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assigned patrol areas.
- 10. Record license numbers of vehicles disregarding traffic signals, and report infractions to appropriate authorities.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administration and Management
- Transportation
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Crossing guards and flaggers?
Crossing guards and flaggers has an AI exposure score of 31%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Crossing guards and flaggers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Crossing guards and flaggers is projected to grow by 3.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 91,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Crossing guards and flaggers?
Key skills for Crossing guards and flaggers include Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Crossing guards and flaggers earn?
The median annual wage for Crossing guards and flaggers is $37,700, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Crossing guards and flaggers?
The typical entry-level education for Crossing guards and flaggers is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Crossing guards and flaggers?
Crossing guards and flaggers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).