Life As a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Example 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
- Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
- Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
- Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
- Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.
- Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
- Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
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Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Required Skills
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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 Jobs
- Drain Technician
- Roto Rooter Operator
- Drain and Sewer Technician
- Sewage Screen Operator
- Septic Tank Service Technician
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.
Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner Salary
The typical yearly salary for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners is somewhere 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.
How much do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
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 to Become a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner
Learn what Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner education requirements there are.

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:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Septic Tank Servicer or Sewer Pipe Cleaner might also be interested in the following careers:
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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