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Human edge, growing
Crossing guards and flaggers
Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as streets, schools, railroad crossings, or construction sites.
In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 57% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +3.5% by 2035, faster than average.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $38,100
- Job growth to 2035
- +3.5%
- Openings a year
- 17,300
- People doing it (2025)
- 94,800
- Usual route in
- No formal credential, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Explain regulations, policies, or procedures
- Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists
- Communicate with others about operational plans or activities
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Direct vehicle traffic
- Notify others of emergencies or problems
- Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties
What the work looks like
- Direct or escort pedestrians across streets, stopping traffic, as necessary.
- Guide or control vehicular or pedestrian traffic at such places as street and railroad crossings and construction sites.
- Monitor traffic flow to locate safe gaps through which pedestrians can cross streets.
- Communicate traffic and crossing rules and other information to students and adults.
- Direct traffic movement or warn of hazards, using signs, flags, lanterns, and hand signals.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Umpires, referees, and other sports officialsHuman edge, growing, Index 72, +5.2%
- Parking attendantsHuman edge, steady, Index 58, +2.0%
- ShampooersHuman edge, growing, Index 79, +5.6%
- Bus drivers, transit and intercityHuman edge, growing, Index 68, +4.1%
Also known as: Adult Crossing Guard, Community Service Officer, Crossing Guard, School Crossing Guard, Road Crossing Guard, Substitute Crossing Guard.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.