Snow-clearing Worker
Snapshot
Snow-clearing workers operate trucks and plows to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks, streets and other locations. They also dump salt and sand on the ground to de-ice the concerning locations.
Snow-clearing workers are vital for keeping communities safe and accessible during winter months. Your days will involve operating specialized vehicles, like trucks equipped with plows, to remove snow and ice from roads, sidewalks, and other public areas. You'll also be responsible for applying de-icing agents like salt and sand to prevent ice buildup and ensure safe passage for vehicles and pedestrians. This role often requires working outdoors in challenging weather conditions and may involve shift work, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- • Operating snow plows and other equipment to clear snow and ice from streets, sidewalks, and parking lots.
- • Applying salt, sand, or other de-icing materials to prevent ice formation.
- • Inspecting equipment and performing minor maintenance.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Drivers and mobile plant operators — 52 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia and 10 more.
Longest-running shortage: Denmark, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta, United Kingdom)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | $50,260 2025-05 | +3% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +11.2% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Surplus reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | +47.9% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| United Kingdom | Not reported | £36,408 2025-provisional | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS)
Source: Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Open Government Licence v3.0
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Future Outlook for snow-clearing worker
The outlook for snow-clearing worker reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could snow-clearing worker change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- use personal protection equipment
- follow organisational guidelines in the cleaning industry
- apply measures to prevent snow removal safety hazards
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use snow-removal equipment
- carry out de-icing activities
- remove snow
Tasks most exposed to automation
- complete report sheets of activity
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Supply Chain & Transportation
A typical day as a snow-clearing worker
09 09:00 · Morning apply measures to prevent snow removal safety hazards
10 10:30 · Mid-morning drive heavy duty trucks for snow removal
12 12:00 · Midday follow organisational guidelines in the cleaning industry
14 14:00 · Afternoon remove snow
15 15:30 · Late afternoon use snow-removal equipment
17 17:00 · Wrap-up adapt to different weather conditions
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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carry out de-icing activities
Spread salt or other chemical products on the ice-covered surface in public spaces to ensure de-icing and safe usage of such spaces.
-
remove snow
Perform snow ploughing and snow removal from roads, driveways, and sidewalks.
-
perform outdoor cleaning activities
Adapt the cleaning working methods and procedures to the environmental conditions and adapt to weather conditions such as rain, strong wind or snow, when this affects the performance of the equipment or machinery that is being used.
-
use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
-
apply measures to prevent snow removal safety hazards
Use snow removal practices and methods that prevent major hazards such as not working on roofs when possible, assessing the weight of the equipment on a given icy structure, wearing protection equipment and ladders in a safe manner, protect the surrounding areas and people and avoid electrical wirings.
-
use snow-removal equipment
Use equipment such as shovels, snow rakes, snow blowers, ladders or aerial lifts to remove snow from various structures such as rooftops and other building structures and public spaces.
-
adapt to different weather conditions
Cope with regular exposure to extreme weather conditions and hazardous environments.
-
drive heavy duty trucks for snow removal
Drive specialised trucks required to remove snow from various building structures and other public spaces. Follow appropriate traffic regulations in such circumstances.
-
complete report sheets of activity
Keep written records of the service provided on a regular or punctual basis, with explicit hours of work performed and signature.
-
follow organisational guidelines in the cleaning industry
Apply and follow all protocols or guidelines described by the company within your specific cleaning area. It can also involve wearing the foreseen uniform or piece of clothing at all times or using specific equipment or materials.
snow removal safety hazards
Range of dangerous situations faced when conducting snow-removing activities such as falling from heights and roofs, frostbite, eye injuries, and other injuries associated with the use of snowblowers and other mechanical equipment.
- mechanics
- road traffic laws
Path to become a snow-clearing worker
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Upper secondary education
3 programmes in 6 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 11 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Luksia · Finland
These are 2 of 14.
Sources
- 1. Source: Opintopolku.fi (Finnish National Agency for Education)
- 2. Source: Europass Qualification Dataset Register (European Commission)
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does snow-clearing worker fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of training or experience is typically needed to become a snow-clearing worker?
What are the working conditions like for a snow-clearing worker?
Are there opportunities for advancement in this field?
How much does Snow-Clearing Worker pay in the United States?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data