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Plumbing and Drain Services
Roto-Rooter, Mr. Rooter, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
These workers find clogs and damage in sewer lines, septic tanks, and related structures, then clean, repair, or dig down to reach the problem. The job stands out because it mixes troubleshooting with heavy physical work, often in dirty, tight, and messy conditions. The tradeoff is straightforward: the work is practical and in demand, but it is rarely comfortable and usually cannot be done remotely.
Also known as Sewer CleanerSewer Pipe CleanerSeptic Service TechnicianSewer TechnicianDrain and Sewer Technician
Median Salary
$49,140
Mean $52,730
U.S. Workforce
~29K
2.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+7.6%
30.4K to 32.7K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~29K workers, with a median annual pay of $49,140 and roughly 2.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 30.4 K in 2024 to 32.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Helper / Laborer and can progress toward Operations Manager. High-value skills usually include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, and CCTV Sewer Inspection Cameras & Pipe Locators, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and Time Management.
Core Responsibilities
- Check manholes and other access points to figure out where a blockage or break is located.
- Use locating equipment and simple measurements to mark the spot where digging needs to happen.
- Clean out and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
- Dig by hand or with tools to reach buried pipes and damaged tanks.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Check manholes and other access points to figure out where a blockage or break is located.
02 Use locating equipment and simple measurements to mark the spot where digging needs to happen.
03 Clean out and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
04 Dig by hand or with tools to reach buried pipes and damaged tanks.
05 Drive work trucks and move hoses, tools, and other equipment between job sites.
06 Keep notes on the work completed and stay in touch with supervisors and crew members by radio or phone.
Industries That Hire
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Municipal Public Works
City of New York, City of Los Angeles, City of Chicago
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Water and Wastewater Utilities
American Water, Veolia, Severn Trent
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Environmental and Waste Services
Waste Management, Republic Services, Clean Harbors
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get started without a degree; the usual entry point is a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate on-the-job training.
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There is steady demand for the work, with about 29,050 jobs now and roughly 2.9K annual openings.
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The pay is solid for a trade that does not require college, with a median of $49,140 and a mean of $52,730.
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The work is varied: one day may involve locating a clog, and the next may involve digging, cleaning, and making repairs.
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Because sewer backups and septic failures are urgent, skilled workers can pick up overtime and get called in when others are off the clock.
Challenges
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The work is physically demanding and unpleasant, with heavy lifting, digging, and regular contact with sewage and waste.
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Safety is a real concern because the job can involve confined spaces, traffic near roadways, heavy equipment, and unpredictable site conditions.
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Growth is modest rather than explosive: employment is projected to rise 7.6% over a decade, which is only 2.3K added jobs.
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The career can top out unless you move into supervision, utility operations, or business ownership, so the long-term ceiling is fairly clear.
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Remote work is essentially off the table, and the schedule can be irregular because clogs and overflows do not happen on a normal office timetable.
Career Progression
Helper / Laborer
0-1 years
$31K-$38K
Starts with hauling tools, assisting the crew, and learning safety rules, equipment, and basic site routines.
Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner
1-4 years
$40K-$58K
Handles day-to-day inspections, cleaning, locating, and repairs on their own, and this band includes the role's median pay of $49,140.
Lead Technician THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$58K-$72K
Takes on tougher blockage jobs, trains newer workers, and makes quick field decisions when equipment or site conditions change.
Crew Supervisor
7-11 years
$72K-$86K
Runs multiple jobs, coordinates schedules, checks quality, and keeps work moving safely and on time.
Operations Manager
11+ years
$86K-$103K
Oversees crews, budgets, customer calls, and equipment planning, with more time spent managing people than doing field work.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the most common entry point, held by 40.44% of workers in this role.
Less than a high school diploma
A sizable share of workers, 37.08%, entered with less than a high school diploma and learned the job through training.
Post-secondary certificate in plumbing, septic service, or a related trade
Another 22.13% have a post-secondary certificate, which can help you get hired faster and handle equipment safely.
Commercial driver's license or job-specific certification
Not reflected in the education distribution, but a CDL or a septic/wastewater service certification can make you more competitive for field jobs.
Key Skills
Technical
Operation and Control 78%
Operations Monitoring 72%
CCTV Sewer Inspection Cameras & Pipe Locators 70%
Hydraulic Jetting Equipment & Vacuum Trucks 68%
Equipment Maintenance 60%
Quality Control Analysis 60%
Repairing 60%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementClear CommunicationProblem SolvingAttention to Detail Job Outlook and Trends
+7.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 30.4K to 32.7 K over the next decade, representing 7.6% growth. Around 2.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.