Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
SOC code 47-4071 · O*NET-SOC 47-4071.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$49,880
a year
Hourly
$23.98
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,500
$25.72 per hour
Middle 50%
$43,530 – $61,060
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,040 – $73,490
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
30,650
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,040
- $17.81/hr
- 25th percentile
- $43,530
- $20.93/hr
- Median percentile
- $49,880
- $23.98/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,060
- $29.36/hr
- 90th percentile
- $73,490
- $35.33/hr
What do septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners do?
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
- Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
- Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
- Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
- Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
- Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
- Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
- Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 40% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)40%
- Less than a High School Diploma37%
- Post-Secondary Certificate22%
- Some College Courses0%
Common questions
How much does a septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn?
The national median is $49,880 a year. The full range runs from $37,040 at the 10th percentile to $73,490 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Transportation3.5/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Mathematics3.2/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Education and Training2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Quality Control Analysis.