School crossing guards typically work on a part-time or seasonal basis. Elementary and secondary schools employ 12 percent of all crossing guards, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. School crossing guards ensure the safety of children before and after school. Guards are responsible for averting dangerous traffic situations and helping children cross specific streets and intersections safely. School crossing guards tend to earn more in metropolitan areas with higher cost of living expenses.

Average National Wage

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, reports an average wage of $11.10 per hour for elementary and secondary school crossing guards as of April 2014. If an employee works full-time at $11.10 per hour, he will earn approximately $23,090 per year. Elementary and secondary schools pay less compared to other top industries that employ crossing guards. The BLS statistics do not take into account paid benefits employees may receive. In some school districts, it is possible to work more than one job, so some employees may only work as school crossing guards 10 hours a week, but still work for the district full-time and receive employee benefits.

Entry-Level

Entry-level crossing guards tend to earn less than their seasoned peers. The BLS reports an hourly wage of $8.34 for the bottom 10 percent of earners, as of April 2014. This figure takes into account all types of crossing guards across multiple industries. Job advertisements for new school crossing guards tend to vary depending upon location. Some promise a starting wage between $9 and $10 an hour, while others start as high as $19.06.

Top Earners

According to the BLS, the states paying the highest wages for crossing guards in 2014 are West Virginia, Washington, Indiana, Oregon and Wyoming, though employment as a crossing guard in one of these states does not guarantee you'll earn more than a peer somewhere else. Rates of pay depend on several market variables, years of employment and annual budgets. Employment as a school crossing guard in the public sector also makes you vulnerable to government funding allocation. In the top paying states, crossing guards can expect to earn between $15.34 and $21.35 per hour.

Major Metro Areas

A comparison of average yearly salaries across major metropolitan areas by Indeed.com shows a range of $21,000 to $31,000 as of July 2014. School crossing guards can expect an average annual salary of $21,000 in Miami, Florida or Denver, Colorado. The typical annual salary is a bit higher in Los Angeles at $23,000 and in Chicago at $26,000. Boston, Massachusetts and San Jose, California have the highest annual salaries in the comparison. School crossing guards average $28,000 and $31,000 respectively.