It may still be in the 80s outside, but NYC is already preparing for what could be a “tricky winter” of snow, sleet, and sudden swings. And when the snow starts piling up, the city will once again need plenty of hands to help clear it.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that NYC will once again hire New Yorkers as Emergency Snow Shovelers, with this year’s program bringing early registration, a paid orientation, higher pay, and faster payments.
Mamdani stated:
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. 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.
Want to help dig NYC out after the next big snowstorm and make some extra cash while you’re at it? Here’s everything to know about the city’s Emergency Snow Shoveler program, including who can sign up, how much it pays, and when registration opens.
💰 How Much Does Being an Emergency Snow Shoveler Pay?
For New Yorkers willing to brave the cold, the program offers a pretty solid incentive:
- Starting Pay: $30 per hour (up from $19.14 last year)
- Overtime: $45 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week (up from $28.71 last year)
And if this winter is anything like last–you know, when we got buried in one of the top 10 snow storms on record in NYC history–overtime will likely add up fast.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as an Emergency Snow Shoveler in NYC, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be legally authorized to work in the United States
- Be physically able to perform heavy, physically demanding work in adverse winter weather conditions
- Wear your own proper, weather-resistant clothing suitable for extreme winter conditions
Basically, if you can lug your groceries up a fifth-floor walk-up, you’re already halfway through snow-shoveling training.
📝 How to Register & Upcoming Events
To register, individuals must bring:
- A valid phone number and email address
- Social Security card
- Completed W-4 (Federal Withholding) and IT-2014 (NYS Withholding) forms
- Completed I-9 form along with its required supporting identification documents (see official I-9 Acceptable Documents list)
Upcoming registration events:
- Saturday, September 19: Taft High School, Bronx (240 East 172nd Street) | 9 am – 5 pm
- Saturday, September 26: Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics (260 Pleasant Avenue) | 9 am – 5 pm
- Saturday, October 3: PS 289 George V. Brower (900 St Marks Avenue, Brooklyn) | 9 am – 5 pm
- Saturday, October 10: PS 040 Samuel Huntington (109-20 Union Hall Street, Queens) | 9 am – 5 pm
- Saturday, October 17: Susan E. Wagner High School (1200 Manor Road, Staten Island) | 9 am – 5 pm
Shovelers who register at a DSNY registration event before November 30, 2026 will be eligible for a paid four-hour orientation in December and expedited payment processing, with the goal of receiving a paycheck within two weeks of working.
After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with an invitation to the paid orientation and assigned to a DSNY garage to report to during significant snowfalls.
⚠️ NYC Snow Shoveling Rules
When winter weather hits, clearing the sidewalks isn’t just a courtesy—it’s the law.
While the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) handles public infrastructure, property owners are legally responsible for removing snow and ice from the sidewalks bordering their properties within the required timeframe.
Those who don’t comply can face fines of up to $250 from the DSNY, which enforces the city’s snow-removal rules.
See the full breakdown of NYC’s snow shoveling rules.
Oh, and while winter weather is on our brain, here’s NYC’s 2026-27 winter forecast–including when the first snow could arrive in the city! 👀