# New Hampshire Raises Snowplow Contractor Rates

New Hampshire’s Department of Transportation received Executive Council approval in October 2026 to increase private snowplow contractor rates by 15% for the 2026–2027 winter season, raising CDL operators’ hourly pay from $26.45 to $30.42. The increase is expected to add **$2 million–$3 million** in state costs, with NHDOT expecting to seek transfers from the Highway Fund or Turnpike Fund as needed. The rate adjustment responds to an ongoing driver shortage, but the signal identifies no solicitation or contractor-selection process.

- Contractors with qualified CDL drivers and suitable snowplows or trucks may see increased demand for winter highway maintenance work; the rate increase alone does not establish a new contract opportunity.
- Companies can use the published operator and truck rates to assess whether their staffing and equipment can support potential state work during the 2026–2027 season.
- NHDOT’s planned reliance on fund transfers means the estimated additional cost is not described as already allocated through a specific procurement.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Transportation, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 26, 2026

### Government Entities
- New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT)
- New Hampshire Executive Council

### Key Quotes
> We’re not investing adequately into our own personnel, and then we end up having to hire contractors, and we pay them more to do the same job that if we had personnel on staff that they would be able to do.
> — Karen Liot Hill, New Hampshire Executive Councilor

> What does this say to the DOT employees that are out there, that are going to be driving alongside these contracted-out plow drivers and equipment, and they receive a 15% increase, and the DOT employees are not receiving that increase?
> — John Stephen, New Hampshire Executive Councilor

### Sources
- [Facing an ongoing snowplow driver shortage, New Hampshire to increase private contractor pay • New Hampshire Bulletin](https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/10/26/facing-ongoing-snowplow-driver-shortage-state-to-increase-private-contractor-pay) - New Hampshire Bulletin