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Construction and Trades

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
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Median pay

$49,140
Median annual pay for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

7.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

2,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

30,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+2,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Speaking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Transportation
  3. 3Mechanical
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Public Safety and Security
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Manual Dexterity
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Flexibility of Closure
  5. 5Multilimb Coordination
  6. 6Oral Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Performing General Physical Activities
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Documenting/Recording Information

Work context

  1. 1Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Exposed to Contaminants
  6. 6Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Intuit QuickBooks · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyRoute mapping softwareWeb browser softwareWork scheduling software

The short answer

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 measurable national baseline is $49,140 median annual pay, 7.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 2,900 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners is $49,140. Current employment is 30,400, with projected 2034 employment of 32,700. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 7.6% employment growth for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners from 2024 to 2034 and about 2,900 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

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.

A representative O*NET task is: Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones. The broader activity profile emphasizes Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment, Getting Information, Performing General Physical Activities.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Monitoring. Leading knowledge areas are Customer and Personal Service, Transportation, Mechanical. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Route mapping software.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $49,140. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners?

BLS projects 7.6% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 2,900 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners?

The typical BLS entry-education category is High school diploma or equivalent. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners involve?

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.

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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