New York City is raising the hourly pay for emergency snow shovelers by more than $10 ahead of the winter season, with workers now eligible to earn $30 an hour clearing snow and ice.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson announced the changes, which also include a paid four-hour orientation in December, a streamlined registration process and faster payment.
Higher pay, faster payment
Shovelers will earn $30 an hour this winter, up from $19.14. The rate increases to $45 an hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week, compared with $28.71 previously.
The changes build on last winter, when more than 7,800 New Yorkers signed up to help clear snow and ice during heavy snowfalls, blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures.
“If this past year of blizzards, thunderstorms and heat waves taught us anything, it’s that it’s never too early to prepare for extreme weather,” Mamdani said. “Last winter, thousands of New Yorkers stepped up to help their neighbors dig out from heavy snow and ice. This year, we’re raising their pay and making it easier to join the program — because when the snow comes, our city needs to be ready.”
Emergency snow shovelers clear public areas including crosswalks, bus stops and fire hydrants. Last winter, the Department of Sanitation dispatched them during active snowfall and on evening shifts for the first time.
Working alongside DSNY employees, shovelers helped clear 135,000 crosswalks, 34,000 bus stops and 29,000 fire hydrants, according to the city.
“New York’s Strongest prepare year-round for winter snowfalls,” Anderson said. “This year, we plan to enter snow season with emergency snow shovelers prepared as well, to ensure that crosswalks, bus stops and other critical infrastructure are safe for commuters as quickly as possible.”
How to sign up
Registration will begin in the fall, allowing workers to complete paperwork and orientation before winter weather arrives. Those who register at a DSNY registration event before Nov. 30 will qualify for the paid December orientation and expedited payment processing, with the city aiming to issue paychecks within two weeks of working.
The first registration event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Taft High School, 240 E. 172nd St. in the Bronx.
Applicants must be at least 18, legally authorized to work in the United States and physically able to perform heavy work in adverse winter weather conditions.
Applicants must bring a valid phone number and email address, Social Security card, completed federal and state withholding forms, and a completed I-9 with required identification documents.
Photos will be taken at registration events, eliminating the previous requirement that applicants provide printed photographs.
Additional registration events will be announced through DSNY’s social media channels and website.
After registering, shovelers will receive a confirmation email with an invitation to the paid orientation and later be assigned to a DSNY garage based on borough needs and their location preferences.