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Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $52,210, with 820 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,380 at the 10th percentile to $80,740 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$52,210

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$25.10

Employment

820

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,380
10th
$44,060
25th
$52,210
Median
$64,290
75th
$80,740
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$52,210

Median annual · 2025

United States

$49,880

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 4.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,330).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.6
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.1
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  5. 5.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.0
  6. 6.TroubleshootingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.RepairingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  10. 10.MonitoringImportance 2.9
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Route mapping software
  • Web browser software
  • Work scheduling software

Common tasks

  • 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.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL