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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in Washington

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in Washington

Considering working as a Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. 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 do Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Make in Washington?

For septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners working in Washington, the median annual wage is $61,570 per year (or roughly $29.60/hour).Pay can range from $46,540 at the 10th percentile to $82,030 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $46,540 $22.38
25th percentile $52,080 $25.04
Median (50th) $61,570 $29.60
75th percentile $75,510 $36.31
90th percentile $82,030 $39.44
Salary ranges for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in Washington

The job concentration index in Washington compared to the national average — is 2.48, meaning that septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn a median of $66,706 per year ($32.07/hour), lower than the Washington median.

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 761,995 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in the U.S.. In Washington alone, approximately 1,660 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 330 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners.

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Top Washington Metros for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

The metro areas below employ the most septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 780 $62,830
Bellingham, WA 110 $68,450
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 110 $59,030
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 80 $64,280
Yakima, WA 70 $49,210
Kennewick-Richland, WA 50 $57,470
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA 40 $71,590
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA 30 $61,190

Top States for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Employment

The table below shows the states where the most septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners work.

State Number Employed
California 2,850
Texas 2,370
New York 1,790
Washington 1,660
Florida 1,470
Pennsylvania 1,380
Ohio 1,210
Missouri 1,170
Michigan 1,140
Virginia 990
Wisconsin 880
North Carolina 850
Iowa 820
Indiana 800
Illinois 760
Oregon 740
Oklahoma 700
Colorado 600
Tennessee 520
Massachusetts 460

Highest-Paying States for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

These states pay the most for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners.

State Annual Median Salary
New Jersey $63,420
Washington $61,570
Nebraska $60,790
Maryland $59,800
Connecticut $58,430
Minnesota $58,140
North Dakota $57,210
New Hampshire $56,180
Wisconsin $56,020
Oregon $55,900

Skills

The most important septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Operation and Control  3.9 / 5
0
5
Operations Monitoring  3.6 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.1 / 5
0
5
Repairing  3.0 / 5
0
5
Time Management  3.0 / 5
0
5
Equipment Maintenance  3.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service  3.9 / 5
0
5
Transportation  3.5 / 5
0
5
Mechanical  3.5 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.4 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  3.4 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Manual Dexterity  3.8 / 5
0
5
Control Precision  3.6 / 5
0
5
Arm-Hand Steadiness  3.5 / 5
0
5
Flexibility of Closure  3.5 / 5
0
5
Multilimb Coordination  3.5 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.5 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners typically:

  • Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
  • Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
  • Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
  • Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
  • Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
  • Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
  • Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
  • Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
  • Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
  • Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
  • Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
  • Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.

Work Activities

  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
  • Getting Information
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Controlling Machines and Processes

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Intuit QuickBooks

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

  • Plumbing & Water Supply

Other careers like septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners include:

Also Known As

Aseptic Tech (Aseptic Technician), Drain Cleaner, Drain Technician, Drain and Sewer Technician, Electric Sewer Cleaning Machine Operator, High Reach Operator, Pipe Cleaning Machine Operator, Priming Machine Operator, Public Works Operator, Public Works Technician, Reach Operator, Roto Rooter Operator, Septic Cleaner, Septic Pump Truck Driver, Septic Tank Cleaner.

References

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