LYNN — Those who want to plow snow this winter can make up to 200 dollars an hour, as the city, alongside a handful of municipalities across the state, increased its contract rates for snow plow drivers amid a statewide snow removal contractor shortage.
Those driving through the North Shore might have noticed a plethora of signs across the region advertising job postings for snow removal services. In Lynn last winter, the Department of Public Works (DPW) hired plow drivers with standard four-by-four pickup trucks at 77 dollars per hour. A plow driver with the same equipment can expect to make 90 dollars an hour this year.
DPW Commissioner Andrew Hall said that last year, the city faced a shortage of plow drivers which, he speculates, comes from rising gas prices and the costs of maintaining pickup trucks.
“We have problems getting contracts. We didn’t have enough contractors last year, so we raised the rates so that we can get more this year,” Hall said. “Fuel is more expensive. It seems like across the board, things are more expensive, from groceries, to insurance, to fuel and truck parts.”
The city began accepting contract applications for snow removal workers last week. Hall said that to keep the streets and sidewalks clear, the city needs approximately 250 snow plow contractors this winter, including Bobcat sidewalk plowers, who last year earned 80 dollars an hour, and can expect to make 95 dollars an hour this year.
Qualifications for snow plow contractors in Lynn include ownership of a car and valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and flexible availability during the winter season.
While Lynn relies almost entirely on contractors for snow plowing, its neighbor, Swampscott, only relies on contractors for approximately 50 percent of its snow plowing force, eliminating the need for a rate increase. Swampscott Public Works Director Gino Cresta said that despite the town’s lack of reliance on contract plowers, it has still seen labor shortages similar to those in Lynn.
“It’s been tougher and tougher with each passing year because people just don’t want to plow anymore,” Cresta said. “The wear and tear on a new truck and nowadays, people are paying 50, 60 thousand dollars for a pickup truck. They don’t want to put it out to plow because it does a lot of damage. Plus the price of gas has gone way up, so they’re not making as much money,” Cresta said.
Cresta said while he thinks the town is in decent shape for this coming winter, he recently lost a contract with a snow plow that operates five trucks. He said that alongside the increased costs of truck maintenance and fuel, the snow plow shortage, like other labor shortages across the country, was likely born from the post-pandemic “big quit.”
“I think it’s this whole economy where nobody wants to work anymore,” Cresta said.
Cresta encouraged any qualified plow drivers to apply for the winter season. He said that while the town will likely not increase their rates, he can offer contractors prompt payment.
“If anybody’s out there that wants to come plow for the Town of Swampscott, I’m fortunate where I can get the guys without paying top dollar,” Cresta said. “I pay them two weeks later, so they don’t have to wait the entire season to get paid. If you plow for me, we pay every other Friday.”
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected]
