Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner Salary
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners earn a median $49,880 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
U.S. median
$49,880
$23.98 per hour
Range
$37,040 – $73,490
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
30,650
across the U.S.
▲1.5%
Pay trend: The median for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in the U.S. rose from $49,140 (May 2024) to $49,880 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.9%.
What 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.8% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,800
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$42,259
per year · effective tax rate 15.3%
$3,522Monthly
$1,761Twice a month
$1,625Every 2 weeks
$20.32Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,806
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,093
- Medicare (1.45%)$723
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,259
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,040 | $17.81 | $31,942 |
| 25th percentile | $43,530 | $20.93 | $37,156 |
| Median (50th) | $49,880 | $23.98 | $42,259 |
| 75th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 | $51,242 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,490 | $35.33 | $60,530 |
Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $66,890 | +10.0% | $53,723 | $42,210 – $71,570 | 300 |
| New Jersey | $64,650 | +1.9% | $52,102 | $49,970 – $90,210 | 220 |
| New Hampshire | $64,590 | +15.0% | $54,078 | $46,710 – $82,160 | 310 |
| Washington | $63,090 | +2.5% | $52,873 | $46,690 – $83,830 | 1,600 |
| Minnesota | $62,190 | +7.0% | $49,444 | $44,520 – $76,190 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $60,700 | +3.9% | $49,146 | $50,330 – $79,190 | 280 |
| Nevada | $60,180 | +24.8% | $50,535 | $45,510 – $64,810 | 220 |
| Iowa | $57,980 | +11.6% | $47,215 | $40,650 – $72,660 | 630 |
| Oregon | $57,920 | +3.6% | $44,480 | $41,140 – $71,030 | 560 |
| Alaska | $57,720 | +16.7% | $48,558 | $49,740 – $75,970 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $57,340 | +2.4% | $46,511 | $35,640 – $73,530 | 1,050 |
| Montana | $56,860 | +15.1% | $45,951 | $39,130 – $79,170 | 290 |
| Maryland | $56,410 | −5.7% | $45,190 | $37,910 – $70,910 | 160 |
| California | $55,220 | +2.1% | $44,469 | $39,890 – $79,260 | 3,130 |
| New York | $55,220 | +8.5% | $44,164 | $38,520 – $74,720 | 1,550 |
| Hawaii | $54,530 | +4.6% | $43,381 | $48,600 – $71,860 | 80 |
| Illinois | $53,190 | +4.2% | $42,430 | $35,380 – $81,390 | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $53,080 | +3.4% | $42,396 | $44,670 – $73,240 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,070 | +0.1% | $42,420 | $38,320 – $74,030 | 1,530 |
| Georgia | $51,880 | +22.0% | $41,796 | $36,470 – $67,200 | 590 |
| Colorado | $51,700 | −1.6% | $42,155 | $39,990 – $74,450 | 500 |
| Missouri | $51,560 | +6.4% | $42,122 | $39,640 – $63,770 | 1,160 |
| Ohio | $50,750 | −3.6% | $42,344 | $39,040 – $76,290 | 1,000 |
| Michigan | $50,040 | +1.2% | $40,511 | $40,900 – $62,460 | 1,080 |
| Utah | $49,770 | +2.2% | $40,897 | $45,850 – $70,700 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $48,900 | +5.2% | $40,390 | $39,590 – $76,080 | 500 |
| Maine | $48,530 | +3.2% | $39,080 | $36,930 – $59,260 | 160 |
| Delaware | $48,440 | +13.2% | $39,090 | $37,440 – $56,930 | 30 |
| Indiana | $48,380 | +0.0% | $39,656 | $35,210 – $68,490 | 770 |
| Arizona | $47,670 | +2.6% | $39,500 | $35,360 – $62,450 | 590 |
| Wyoming | $47,520 | +7.6% | $40,362 | $37,550 – $63,320 | 90 |
| Alabama | $47,370 | +12.4% | $38,138 | $37,610 – $57,500 | 400 |
| North Carolina | $47,280 | +6.5% | $38,792 | $36,510 – $71,690 | 1,020 |
| Virginia | $47,150 | +3.9% | $38,168 | $36,610 – $62,570 | 890 |
| Kansas | $46,960 | +3.0% | $38,092 | $36,450 – $53,000 | 150 |
| Idaho | $46,860 | +5.6% | $38,457 | $36,870 – $64,000 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $46,660 | +11.0% | $38,029 | $33,350 – $59,440 | 640 |
| North Dakota | $46,340 | −19.0% | $39,414 | $42,410 – $78,570 | 70 |
| Florida | $46,150 | −3.1% | $39,262 | $36,760 – $64,000 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $46,140 | +4.4% | $38,142 | $39,780 – $62,750 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $43,980 | −1.2% | $36,096 | $35,980 – $65,600 | 280 |
| Texas | $43,860 | −0.3% | $37,422 | $34,670 – $64,380 | 2,430 |
| Oklahoma | $40,960 | +0.1% | $33,794 | $32,830 – $54,530 | 670 |
| New Mexico | $40,230 | −7.9% | $33,742 | $34,520 – $47,960 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $40,040 | −14.6% | $34,352 | $36,810 – $57,300 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $39,480 | −10.0% | $33,902 | $29,880 – $60,760 | 550 |
| Mississippi | $38,870 | +3.1% | $32,589 | $26,530 – $60,670 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $38,330 | +16.2% | $31,696 | $33,880 – $47,350 | — |
| West Virginia | $36,200 | +29.2% | $30,294 | $23,320 – $43,630 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Worker | $49,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $50,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $49,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.5% |
| Fence Erector | $47,980 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operator | $70,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.5% |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $74,690 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer | $109,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.7% |
| Carpet Installer | $50,340 | No formal educational credential | -16.4% |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | No formal educational credential | +3.0% |
| Floor Sander and Finisher | $50,440 | No formal educational credential | +1.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner make?
The national median salary for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners is $49,880 a year ($23.98 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,040 and the top 10% earn over $73,490. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners the most?
Nebraska has the highest median pay at $66,890.
How many septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners are there in the U.S.?
About 30,650 people work as septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide.