What does a flagger do?
A flagger is an employee who is hired by government agencies or construction companies to control the flow of traffic around road construction sites. To control the flow of traffic, flaggers must erect warning signs and position traffic cones and barricades to guide drivers through the traffic flow. They are responsible for informing the construction crew of any issues that may affect their safety. Flaggers are also required to record the license plate numbers of motorists who did not obey traffic signs and directions.
Flagger responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real flagger resumes:
- Learn the location and purpose of street traffic signs within assign patrol areas
- Test an repair uhf, vhf, Am/fm, ssb radios recording devices for a working airport.
- Scan the CCTV's on the interstate system.
- Maintain traffic control to ATSSA standards.
- Maintain a visible presence and alertness to surrounding traffic.
- Used shovels, digging bars, and other basic tools.
- Inspect and set proper work zones to meet Penn dot regulate procedures.
- Assist coupling civil war locomotives with link- & -pin coupling using safe techniques.
- Assure the safety of kids crossing the street to get to there morning classes
- Skil uses of hand tools, industrial lifts, bobcat and mobile lift equipment.
- Operate tractor, attach mowers, plow, disk, trailers and other equipment.
- Make sure that the kids and their parents are cross safely before and after school.
- Warn construction workers when approaching vehicle fails to heed signals to prevent accident and injury to workers.
- Certify threw ATSSA, certify to design, implement and maintain traffic control plans for a variety of jobs team work.
- Provide general labor and flagging responsibilities for the installation of asphalt pavement.
Flagger skills and personality traits
We calculated that 19% of Flaggers are proficient in Work Ethic, Safety Rules, and Construction Sites. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Problem-solving skills, and Color vision.
We break down the percentage of Flaggers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Work Ethic, 19%
Showed how to be responsible for your work ethic towards others and in front of others at all times.
- Safety Rules, 14%
Adhere with safety rules and regulations on job site and flagging sites to maintain safety of public, personnel and workers.
- Construction Sites, 13%
Cleaned debris, trash and hazardous materials from construction sites, dug trenches, cleaned and maintained construction equipment appropriately.
- Direct Traffic, 8%
Direct Traffic, restoration, finishing, operating of bobcat/forklift equipment
- Vehicular Traffic, 6%
Controlled movement of vehicular traffic through construction projects.
- Public Safety, 5%
Respond to emergencies as directed and perform task in the interest of public safety and property protection during emergencies.
"work ethic," "safety rules," and "construction sites" are among the most common skills that flaggers use at work. You can find even more flagger responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a flagger to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "air traffic controllers must be able to give clear, concise instructions, listen carefully to pilots’ requests, and respond by speaking clearly in english." Flaggers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "use professional hand signals, use great communication skills, direct traffic, stand for long periods of time"
Problem-solving skills. Many flagger duties rely on problem-solving skills. "controllers must be able to understand complex situations, review changing circumstances, and provide pilots with appropriate alternatives.," so a flagger will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways flagger responsibilities rely on problem-solving skills: "directed traffic in road construction zones worked on black-top paver basic buildings and grounds maintenance resolved conflict with drivers"
The three companies that hire the most flaggers are:
- Wright337 flaggers jobs
- PeopleReady123 flaggers jobs
- RoadSafe Traffic Systems107 flaggers jobs
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Compare different flaggers
Flagger vs. Crossing guard
A crossing guard directs and escorts pedestrians when crossing the street, enforcing traffic laws when necessary. They have the authority to control both pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and they will sometimes be responsible for directing traffic to avoid hazards. In some areas, a crossing guard may also control railroad warning signals, lower and raise railroad gates, and coordinate with law enforcement officers when violations occur.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between flaggers and crossing guard. For instance, flagger responsibilities require skills such as "work ethic," "asphalt," "traffic flow," and "heed." Whereas a crossing guard is skilled in "patrol," "kids," "emergency situations," and "traffic laws." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Crossing guards really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $33,818. Comparatively, flaggers tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $30,808.The education levels that crossing guards earn slightly differ from flaggers. In particular, crossing guards are 1.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a flagger. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Flagger vs. School crossing guard
A school crossing guard is an adult whose work is to ensure the safety of students and any other pedestrian or cyclist as they cross the road while heading or coming from school. They encourage safety for all people crossing the road around the school premises. Their duties and responsibilities include applying traffic law knowledge and signals to direct both pedestrians and vehicle drivers to ensure safety.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real flagger resumes. While flagger responsibilities can utilize skills like "work ethic," "vehicular traffic," "asphalt," and "traffic flow," school crossing guards use skills like "patrol," "safety procedures," "good judgment," and "traffic laws."
School crossing guards earn a higher average salary than flaggers. But school crossing guards earn the highest pay in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $40,126. Additionally, flaggers earn the highest salaries in the construction with average pay of $30,808 annually.In general, school crossing guards achieve similar levels of education than flaggers. They're 1.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Flagger vs. School traffic guard
The primary role of a traffic controller is to direct the flow of machinery and vehicles on roads and any other work sites. Traffic controllers coordinate, setup, manage, and remove traffic control. They direct traffic in disruption areas like accidents, planned maintenance, building sites, and roadworks. They have to direct pedestrians for safety maintenance around road conditions and changed vehicles. They need to be keen on directing traffic flow.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from flagger resumes include skills like "work ethic," "safety rules," "construction sites," and "vehicular traffic," whereas a school traffic guard is more likely to list skills in "control traffic flow," "government vehicles," "hard hat," and "rig. "
School traffic guards typically earn similar educational levels compared to flaggers. Specifically, they're 4.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Flagger vs. Traffic controller
Types of flagger
Updated January 8, 2025
