New York City raises emergency snow shoveler pay to $30 an hour

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson have announced a significant pay increase for the city’s Emergency Snow Shoveler program. The starting wage for temporary workers will rise to $30 per hour, a nearly 57% increase from the previous rate of $19.14. Employees working more than 40 hours in a single week will receive $45 per hour, up from $28.71.

To improve winter preparedness, the city is revamping its recruitment and payroll processes. Registration will now occur in the fall, with an initial event scheduled for September 19 at Taft High School in the Bronx. Workers who register by November 30 will be eligible for a paid four-hour orientation in December and expedited payroll processing, with the city aiming to issue payments within two weeks of work.

The program saw record participation last winter, with over 7,800 New Yorkers assisting in clearing 135,000 crosswalks, 34,000 bus stops, and 29,000 fire hydrants. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, legally authorized to work in the United States, and capable of performing physically demanding labor in winter conditions.