How much does a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner make?
The median septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner in the United States earns $49,880 per year, about $23.98 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-4071.
Septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner salary range
Pay for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,040 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $73,490. The average (mean) wage of $53,500 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,040 | $17.81 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $43,530 | $20.93 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,880 | $23.98 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $61,060 | $29.36 | |
| 90th percentile | $73,490 | $35.33 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners (SOC 47-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn the most in Nebraska at $66,890 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $36,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $66,890 | 300 |
| New Jersey | $64,650 | 220 |
| New Hampshire | $64,590 | 310 |
| Washington | $63,090 | 1,600 |
| Minnesota | $62,190 | 240 |
| Connecticut | $60,700 | 280 |
| Nevada | $60,180 | 220 |
| Iowa | $57,980 | 630 |
| Oregon | $57,920 | 560 |
| Alaska | $57,720 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $57,340 | 1,050 |
| Montana | $56,860 | 290 |
| Maryland | $56,410 | 160 |
| California | $55,220 | 3,130 |
| New York | $55,220 | 1,550 |
| Hawaii | $54,530 | 80 |
| Illinois | $53,190 | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $53,080 | 620 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,070 | 1,530 |
| Georgia | $51,880 | 590 |
| Colorado | $51,700 | 500 |
| Missouri | $51,560 | 1,160 |
| Ohio | $50,750 | 1,000 |
| Michigan | $50,040 | 1,080 |
| Utah | $49,770 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $48,900 | 500 |
| Maine | $48,530 | 160 |
| Delaware | $48,440 | 30 |
| Indiana | $48,380 | 770 |
| Arizona | $47,670 | 590 |
| Wyoming | $47,520 | 90 |
| Alabama | $47,370 | 400 |
| North Carolina | $47,280 | 1,020 |
| Virginia | $47,150 | 890 |
| Kansas | $46,960 | 150 |
| Idaho | $46,860 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $46,660 | 640 |
| North Dakota | $46,340 | 70 |
| Florida | $46,150 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $46,140 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $43,980 | 280 |
| Texas | $43,860 | 2,430 |
| Oklahoma | $40,960 | 670 |
| New Mexico | $40,230 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $40,040 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $39,480 | 550 |
| Mississippi | $38,870 | 230 |
| Arkansas | $38,330 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $36,200 | 70 |
State median wages for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners (SOC 47-4071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners
The BLS projects employment of septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 34,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,800 openings a year for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner
The typical entry-level education for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Nebraska, $66,890) and the lowest (West Virginia, $36,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 30,650 people work as septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in the United States. At $49,880 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner salary FAQ
How much does a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner is $23.98. The middle half of septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn between $20.93 and $29.36 per hour.
What is the highest septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn more than $73,490 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner make a year?
The median annual salary for a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner is $49,880. The average (mean) wage of $53,500 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner a well paid job?
At $49,880 a year, a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 30,650 people work as septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in the United States.
Which state pays septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners the most?
Nebraska has the highest median salary for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners at $66,890 a year. New Jersey ($64,650) and New Hampshire ($64,590) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner a good career?
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. The BLS projects about 2,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a septic tank servicer and sewer pipe cleaner?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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