Massachusetts towns paying big bucks to recruit plow drivers
Many cities and towns across Massachusetts are having a hard time finding enough plow drivers — and some are willing to pay a pretty penny to those who want the job.“Right now, we are chasing contractors to get them signed up for our winter 23-24 season,” said Watertown Superintendent of Public Works Greg St. Louis. In Watertown, there are about a half dozen openings from the highway department to engineering, and those staffers would also drive city plows. “I think we’re worried every year that we could have another 2018 bomb cyclone year or 2014 with seven feet of snow. But, you know, we play it day by day,” St. Louis said.Watertown also needs you if you have your own equipment. If you have your own 4×4 with an eight-foot plow, you could make $140/hour. If you have a heavy-duty truck with a 10-foot plow, you could make $310/hour. “There’s a shortage of outside contractors,” said Bernie McDonald, Newton director of streets.Even with jobs out for bid, no one’s biting despite a $10,000 guarantee, with or without snow, an incentive to those larger companies that would bring in many drivers. “If you sign a contract with the city of Newton for like $10,000 minimum. So, in case we get no snow for the year, at least there’s something in there for them to, you know, get equipment ready, pay the insurance,” McDonald said. Larger municipal plow trucks and equipment require a CDL license.
Many cities and towns across Massachusetts are having a hard time finding enough plow drivers — and some are willing to pay a pretty penny to those who want the job.
“Right now, we are chasing contractors to get them signed up for our winter 23-24 season,” said Watertown Superintendent of Public Works Greg St. Louis.
In Watertown, there are about a half dozen openings from the highway department to engineering, and those staffers would also drive city plows.
“I think we’re worried every year that we could have another 2018 bomb cyclone year or 2014 with seven feet of snow. But, you know, we play it day by day,” St. Louis said.
Watertown also needs you if you have your own equipment. If you have your own 4×4 with an eight-foot plow, you could make $140/hour. If you have a heavy-duty truck with a 10-foot plow, you could make $310/hour.
“There’s a shortage of outside contractors,” said Bernie McDonald, Newton director of streets.
Even with jobs out for bid, no one’s biting despite a $10,000 guarantee, with or without snow, an incentive to those larger companies that would bring in many drivers.
“If you sign a contract with the city of Newton for like $10,000 minimum. So, in case we get no snow for the year, at least there’s something in there for them to, you know, get equipment ready, pay the insurance,” McDonald said.
Larger municipal plow trucks and equipment require a CDL license.
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