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.
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
SOC: 47-4071 O*NET: 47-4071.00
Median Salary
$49,140
per year
Job Growth
🚀 7.6%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Job Zone 1
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.
What does a Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,500
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,700
25th percentile
Median
$49,140
50th percentile
Experienced
$60,320
75th percentile
Top Earners
$73,670
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,500
25th
$42,700
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,140
Mean: $52,730
75th
$60,320
90th
$73,670
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $37,170 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $42,700 and $60,320
- •Salary spread is 35.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 29,050 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:30,400
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services57.3%
Waste Management and Remediation Services54.7%
Remediation and Other Waste Management Services54%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7.6%
Annual Openings:2,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)30,400
Current
2034 (Projected)32,700
+7.6%
+2,300
Employment Change
+7.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
2,850 jobs$54,0800.84x
Texas
2,370 jobs$44,0000.91x
New York
1,790 jobs$50,9101.00x
Washington
1,660 jobs$61,5702.48x
Florida
1,470 jobs$47,6500.79x
Pennsylvania
1,380 jobs$52,0001.22x
Ohio
1,210 jobs$52,6601.16x
Missouri
1,170 jobs$48,4502.14x
Michigan
1,140 jobs$49,4401.38x
Virginia
990 jobs$45,3801.29x
Wisconsin
880 jobs$56,0201.60x
North Carolina
850 jobs$44,3900.92x
Iowa
820 jobs$51,9502.80x
Indiana
800 jobs$48,3801.33x
Illinois
760 jobs$51,0600.66x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
78%
#5
Time Management
70%
#6
Quality Control Analysis
62%
#7
Active Listening
56%
#8
Repairing
48%
#9
Troubleshooting
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.9
78%
Time Management
intermediate3.5
70%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.1
62%
Active Listening
basic2.8
56%
Repairing
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Repairing
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Millwrights90%
5 shared skills
Rail Car Repairers80%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Equipment Operators78%
5 shared skills
Boilermakers73%
5 shared skills
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators73%
5 shared skills
Robotics Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Equipment Maintenance
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination97% perform98%
3
Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.11
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.91
Attention to Detail
ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level3.90
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.86
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.74
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.70
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.1
Integrity
3.9
Attention to Detail
3.9
Independence
3.9
Cooperation
3.7
Self-Control
3.7
Concern for Others
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or less
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 1
Little or No Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or less
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
Training:
Short demonstration or on-the-job training
💼 Experience Requirement
Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • On-the-job training is typical
- • Tasks can be learned within a few days or weeks
- • Basic skills development
1
Job Zone One: Little or No Preparation Needed
These occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate. Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed.
On-the-job training is typicalTasks can be learned within a few days or weeksBasic skills development
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