How much does a sewer worker make?
a year · about $24 an hour
A typical sewer worker in the United States makes $49,880 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A sewer worker may use cleaning equipment and powerful water jets to clear sewer lines, clean septic tanks, and find damaged pipes with special tools. They also make minor equipment repairs and record the work.
Did you know? Some sewer workers use high-velocity water jets and vacuum machines to clean pipes—not just a plunger!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $37,040 and $73,490How do you become one?
In the United States, many jobs usually ask for a high school diploma or GED, followed by on-the-job training that can last from a few days to a year. Requirements vary by employer, and some jobs need less schooling.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful skills or credentials, and harder or more responsible tasks can affect pay. The employer or industry and the work location matter too.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($63,090), lowest in Tennessee ($39,480).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,040 | $49,880 | $73,490 | about 31,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $63,090 | about 2,000 |
| Iowa | $57,980 | about 630 |
| Oregon | $57,920 | about 560 |
| Wisconsin | $57,340 | about 1,000 |
| California | $55,220 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-4071.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-4071.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/documents/tank_servicer_sewer_pipe_clean
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY