What You Need to Know About 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.
Life As a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner: What Do They Do?
- Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
- Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
- Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
- Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
- Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
- Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
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Things a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Should Know How to Do
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.
Types of Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
- Septic Cleaner
- Sewer Line Repairer
- Septic Tank Service Technician
- Priming Machine Operator
- Septic Pump Truck Driver
Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Employment Estimates
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. There will be an estimated 4,300 positions for Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner per 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.
Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Average Salary
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners make between $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.
How much do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners make 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 do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners may use on a daily basis:
- 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?
Are there Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner?

Where do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Work?

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

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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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