What You Need to Know About Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
Position 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.
Life As a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner: What Do They Do?
- Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
- Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
- Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
- Measure excavation sites, using plumbers’ snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
- Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.
- Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
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Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners say are important on the job.
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.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Related Job Titles
- Septic Tank Service Technician
- Service Technician
- Sewer Technician
- Public Works Technician
- Roto Rooter Operator
Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Job Outlook
There were about 28,500 jobs for Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 4,300 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
What is the Average Salary of a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
The salary for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners ranges between about $25,900 and $61,320 a year.

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 to Become a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
Learn what Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner education requirements there are.

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Work

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those interested in being a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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