Skilled Trades & Construction career

Flagger

Also called: Traffic Control Flagger · Work Zone Flagger · Flag Person · Traffic Control Technician

What flaggers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a flagger do?

Flaggers control traffic through highway, street and utility work zones, using STOP/SLOW paddles and hand signals to keep drivers, pedestrians and workers safe. The median pay is $38,100 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1 day, and employment is projected to grow +3.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $38,100
    $18.32/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.5%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    17,300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1 day
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    94,800
    Employment, 2025

What flaggers do

Flaggers stand at the edge of a work zone and decide when traffic moves. Using a STOP/SLOW paddle, they stop and release vehicles, slow traffic past equipment, guide drivers through lane closures and coordinate with flaggers at the other end by radio. They work on highway construction, utility jobs, tree work, paving and special events.

Training is short, often a single day, but the job carries real responsibility: a flagger is the main protection between moving traffic and the crew. Many states require flaggers to hold a certification card. Flagging is a common entry point into construction and traffic control, and experienced flaggers can become traffic control supervisors.

Typical duties

  • Set up at the flagger station with proper signs and an escape route
  • Stop, slow and release traffic using a STOP/SLOW paddle
  • Coordinate with other flaggers by radio
  • Guide pedestrians and cyclists safely through the work zone
  • Watch for errant or distracted drivers
  • Communicate with drivers calmly and briefly
  • Report incidents, near-misses and sign problems

Work environment and schedule

Flaggers work outdoors next to live traffic on highways, city streets and rural roads, in heat, cold, rain and at night. The job involves standing for long periods and staying alert to fast-moving vehicles.

Schedule: Shifts often start early and can be long during paving season. Night work is common on busy roads, and work slows in winter in cold climates.

A day in the life

  1. Attend the job safety briefing and review the traffic control plan.
  2. Put on a high-visibility vest and hard hat and confirm advance warning signs are up.
  3. Take your station on the shoulder, test radios and plan an escape route.
  4. Stop traffic so paving equipment can cross, then release vehicles in turn.

See a full day in the life of a flagger →

Flagger salary

Half of flaggers earned more than $38,100 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $30,840 for the lowest 10% to $61,690 for the top 10%.

Full flagger pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a flagger

  1. Meet basic requirements
  2. Complete flagger training
  3. Get your certification card
  4. Get hired
  5. Advance

No formal education is required. Flaggers complete a short training course, often four to eight hours, that covers MUTCD flagging procedures, signals and safety. Many states require a certification card from an approved provider.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a flagger →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • STOP/SLOW paddle signaling
  • Work zone setup awareness
  • Radio communication
  • Traffic control plan reading
  • Pedestrian guidance

People skills

  • Alertness
  • Calm communication
  • Patience
  • Judgment

All flagger skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Training takes a day or less
  • Entry point into construction and traffic control
  • Outdoor work with variety of job sites
  • Steady demand during construction season

Cons

  • Danger from distracted and speeding drivers
  • Long hours standing in all weather
  • Can be repetitive
  • Seasonal work in cold regions

Certifications and licenses

  • State flagger certification card: Required by many state DOTs; usually valid for several years.
  • ATSSA Flagger certification: A widely recognized national flagger course.
  • Traffic Control Technician (TCT): Training for setting up and maintaining work zones.
  • Traffic Control Supervisor (TCS): Credential for designing and overseeing work zone traffic control.

Career path

  1. Certified Flagger: Control traffic in work zones.
  2. Traffic Control Technician: Set up and maintain signs and devices.
  3. Traffic Control Supervisor: Plan and oversee work zone traffic control.
  4. Construction Foreman or Safety Coordinator: Move into crew leadership or safety roles.

Learn the job before day one

The training this job requires is National Flagger and Traffic Control for Construction Sites Certification Training (4 hours, $89.99), available online. Our free resources cover the rest: 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as stop traffic with a STOP/SLOW paddle and release traffic through the work zone and a practice test.

View Flagger trainingIs this career right for me?

Online training for flaggers

Complete job-title training from our affiliated training provider. Buy online and start right away.

Training for flaggers
CourseHoursPriceBuy
National Flagger and Traffic Control for Construction Sites Certification Training
For: Flagger · 4 hours · English and Spanish
4$89.99Buy

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

  • $47,120
  • Days to weeks (on the job)

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.

  • $59,850
  • Months to 4 years

Security Guard

Protect people and property by observing, patrolling, controlling access and reporting.

  • $38,020
  • Days to 2 weeks

Concrete Finisher

Place, level and finish concrete for slabs, floors, sidewalks and roads.

  • $57,020
  • 3–12 months on the job

Compare: Flagger vs. Construction Laborer · Flagger vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Flagger vs. Security Guard · Flagger vs. Concrete Finisher

Flagger FAQ

How long does flagger training take?

Most courses take four to eight hours, often in a single day.

Do flaggers need certification?

Many states require a flagger certification card, and most employers require training.

Is flagging dangerous?

It can be, because flaggers work close to traffic. Proper training, visibility and escape routes reduce the risk.

How much does a flagger make?

The median annual wage for flaggers was $38,100 ($18.32 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,840 and the highest 10% earned more than $61,690.

How long does it take to become a flagger?

Most people need about 1 day of training. No formal education is required. Flaggers complete a short training course, often four to eight hours, that covers MUTCD flagging procedures, signals and safety. Many states require a certification card from an approved provider.

Do you need a degree to be a flagger?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More flagger questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz