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What is a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner?
Job Description: 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.
Daily Life Of a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
- Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
- Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
- Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
- Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
- Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
- Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner?
When polled, Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Types of Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
- Sewer Line Repairer
- Stormwater Technician
- Public Works Operator
- Service Technician
- Sewage Screen Operator
Job Demand for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 28,500 jobs in the United States for Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,900 new jobs for Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner are Utah, Hawaii, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in North Dakota, New Jersey, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner ranges between $25,900 and $61,320.
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners who work in Alaska, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,560 |
| Alaska | $50,370 |
| Arizona | $40,100 |
| Arkansas | $31,790 |
| California | $44,160 |
| Colorado | $47,320 |
| Connecticut | $44,840 |
| Delaware | $39,650 |
| Florida | $37,890 |
| Georgia | $35,560 |
| Hawaii | $45,530 |
| Idaho | $31,900 |
| Illinois | $50,090 |
| Indiana | $39,300 |
| Iowa | $43,430 |
| Kansas | $35,920 |
| Kentucky | $41,090 |
| Louisiana | $35,740 |
| Maine | $35,640 |
| Maryland | $40,340 |
| Massachusetts | $49,770 |
| Michigan | $40,040 |
| Minnesota | $43,930 |
| Mississippi | $30,000 |
| Missouri | $36,290 |
| Montana | $36,110 |
| Nebraska | $41,420 |
| Nevada | $47,050 |
| New Hampshire | $40,170 |
| New Jersey | $56,060 |
| New Mexico | $34,190 |
| New York | $42,090 |
| North Carolina | $34,210 |
| North Dakota | $44,790 |
| Ohio | $43,150 |
| Oklahoma | $31,710 |
| Oregon | $47,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,520 |
| Rhode Island | $41,700 |
| South Carolina | $34,090 |
| South Dakota | $34,100 |
| Tennessee | $34,880 |
| Texas | $32,960 |
| Utah | $45,090 |
| Vermont | $36,350 |
| Virginia | $41,800 |
| Washington | $44,070 |
| West Virginia | $39,090 |
| Wisconsin | $45,930 |
| Wyoming | $44,190 |
What Tools & Technology do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Word processing software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Work scheduling software
- Route mapping software
How do I Become a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner?
What kind of Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner?
Where do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Work?
Below are examples of industries where Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners work:
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References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
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