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Shortage of snowplow drivers in Salt Lake County

Dec 9, 2021, 1:18 PM | Updated: 3:50 pm

Snowplow...

Snowplow driver shortage in Salt Lake County. (Photo: Canva)

(Photo: Canva)

SALT LAKE CITY — Just as Salt Lake City sees its first winter snowstorm, Salt Lake County reported they are short five snowplow drivers.

Salt Lake County looking to hire more snowplow drivers ahead of winter … https://t.co/FlXGjBSIzi via @YouTube Thank you @fox13

The job of a Salt Lake County snowplow driver

Kevyn Smeltzer, the division director for Salt Lake County Public Work, explained some of the difficulties of the job of a snowplow driver. He said drivers start with an hourly wage of $16. Although $16 an hour is over double Utah’s minimum wage of $7.25, drivers are “on-call.” They are only scheduled to work when snowplows are needed. 

Over the last two years, winter has seen light snowfall which has meant reduced and unreliable hours for snowplow drivers.

When it does snow, it pours for snowplow drivers

Smeltzer told Dave & Dujanovic that drivers are called out to work at midnight, and can spend anywhere from 10 to 16 hours clearing snow. A night crew comes in for clean-up, but drivers will be called back out at midnight once again if needed.


Related stories:

Power outages, rain and snow affect Thursday morning commute

My Minute of News: A poem for nameless Salt Lake City snowplows

Ski patrol latest industry hit by worker shortage, low pay

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Shortage of snowplow drivers in Salt Lake County