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 |
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.
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.
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:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 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
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners include:
- Construction Laborers
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Pipelayers
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
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
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-4071.00