Is Snowplowing the Right Job for You? The Pros and Cons of Working in Snow Removal

Are you thinking of snowplowing or shoveling snow for work this winter? Or have you ever wondered what it is like for those who work in snow removal? Here is a brief look at what working in snow removal is like. This article also examines the pros and cons of snow removal work.

Because snowplowing is dependent upon snow fall, snow removal work can overwhelm you for a few days at a time, then the can dry up for days or even weeks. One month, you may make a killing. The next month may find your wallet dry. Snowplowing, due to its uncertain nature, may be difficult work for people who depend upon a regular paycheck.

An upside to the money side of snowplowing is that employers tend to pay at a higher hourly rate for the snowplowing and snow shoveling or snow blower crews. The higher rate of pay can offset the lack of work hours to a certain extent, and also allow for a greater earning potential for a busy snowplowing work week.

Snowplowing does not respect the clock. When the snowstorm comes, the work has to be done. Snow removal crews can start work in the middle of a day, 9pm, midnight, 3AM, or actually at a decent starting time of the morning. An eight-hour work day is not a guarantee either. The snowplowing or snow removal work day can technically run between two hours and upwards of twelve hours, depending upon the nature of the winter storm, the workload of the employer, and a few other factors. Snowplowing comes with a lot of uncertainties. This has a jarring affect upon not only you but also the boss. But then again each boss is different. However, people, as a general rule, are harder to get along with during stress.

Adding additional stress is that the snow removal crews may be sleep-deprived especially in cases of unusual hours and nights. Are you able to get sleep during the day, or is the house too noisy? Disrupting the sleep schedule in and of itself can also lead to stress. Add to that that it is never fun to wake up to the ring of a cell phone or drive in the snow. The employers I talked to gave snowplowing crews a half hour to get to work. In other words, a half hour to get up, eat a fast snack, bundle up, clear the car, possibly shovel out a path, and drive a usually 10+ minute commute in less than desirable road conditions. Then even in the snowplowing truck, you still have to deal with treacherous roads and the occasional traffic jam.

It is wise to talk with the prospective employer about the snow removal rules and procedures. One snowplowing employer had a policy that people had a half hour to report to work from the call. Getting up, dressing, cleaning the car, and driving in the snow can be hard to do in that half hour. I turned down the snowplowing and took a layoff one year because all the company offered for snow removal bonus was a snowflake program. I would accumulate two snowflakes per hour of snow removal work. That's a meager $2 per hour! And an offense as simple as missing a phone call cost a penalty of ten snowflakes! The company manager later admitted that that system was not that great. Generally, market rates for workers in snowplowing are around $25 per hour for snowplowing drivers and $15 per hour for the ground snow removal crews who do the snow shoveling and snowblowing. Depending on your situation, you may be able to have some room to negotiate. If you are currently looking for work, you can approach multiple snow removal companies. Even if your current job is making you do snowplowing, you can talk to other prospective employers and either negotiate with your current employer on pay rates, or take a better job offer.

Snowplowing crews seldom work in good weather. Freezing rain, torrential rains, blowing snow, and sleet are a common occurrence and it is recommended to bring extra clothes, gloves, and boots for big snowstorms. Wear sweaters and coats that can be unzipped in order to avoid overheating. Wear a thermal top or a sweatshirt vest as a bottom layer as opposed to a t-shirt, which will drench you in sweat and later chill you. Snowy nights can be unpredictable. One snowstorm can have wind chills below zero, while the next snowstorm can come on a still night with a temperature in the upper thirties. I created a thermal leg warmer method that is effective for working snowplowing in winter snowstorms.

Snowplowing and snow removal may be what you enjoy doing. There is a thrill and enjoyment in being out in the danger pushing a pile of snow in front of you while listening to the truck radio. Even on the shoveling crews, there is a serenity and beauty in the snow, which you can experience while shoveling. I guess it's fun in some ways to be out working while the city sleeps. If you think you will enjoy snowplowing, it's worth giving it a try at least. That's what I did, and after a season of working in snow removal, decided I would prefer to earn money through different ways that didn't involve disturbed sleep and treacherous road driving.