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Salary comparison

Crossing Guards and Flaggers vs. Security Guards: Who Earns More?

Crossing Guards and Flaggers out-earn Security Guards by $80 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Crossing Guards and Flaggers land at $38,100 and Security Guards at $38,020. The education gap is real: crossing guards and flagger programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while security guard programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Crossing Guards and Flaggers is North Dakota ($60,230); for Security Guards it's District of Columbia ($64,210).

Crossing Guards and Flaggers
Security Guards
Median salary
$38,100
$38,020
Hourly rate
$18.32/hr
$18.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$30,840
$30,210
Senior level (90th %)
$61,690
$58,840
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
94,360
1,283,470
Job growth (10-year)
3.6%
0.4%
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
North Dakota
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Crossing Guards and Flaggers median pay.

State
Crossing Guards and Flaggers
Security Guards
California
$50,610
$43,240
Washington
$48,940
$47,100
Minnesota
$48,100
$43,380
Oregon
$47,110
$45,500
New Hampshire
$45,980
$45,200
Vermont
$45,410
$45,550
New York
$44,730
$44,240
Massachusetts
$43,460
$44,670
Hawaii
$42,780
$42,820
District of Columbia
$40,800
$64,210
Colorado
$37,620
$45,150
Virginia
$37,560
$43,640
Utah
$35,480
$42,700
Missouri
$33,560
$40,390
New Mexico
$31,460
$43,320

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Crossing Guards and Flaggers or Security Guards?

Crossing Guards and Flaggers earn more nationally. The median is $38,100 for Crossing Guards and Flaggers versus $38,020 for Security Guards, a difference of $80. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Crossing Guards and Flaggers or Security Guards?

Crossing Guards and Flaggers has the better 10-year outlook at 3.6% projected growth, compared to 0.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Crossing Guards and Flaggers or Security Guards?

Crossing Guards and Flaggers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Security Guards requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Crossing Guards and Flaggers get paid the most?

North Dakota is the top-paying state for Crossing Guards and Flaggers at $60,230/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Crossing Guards and Flaggers vs. Security Guards pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Crossing Guards and Flaggers earn $50,610 vs. $43,240 for Security Guards. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Crossing Guards and Flaggers salary breakdownView →Full Security Guards salary breakdownView →Best cities for Crossing Guards and Flaggers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Security Guards by take-home payExplore →How to become a crossing guards and flaggersGuide →How to become a security guardsGuide →