Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners Salary
The median pay for a septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in Iowa is $57,980/year ($27.87/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $65,249 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 27.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $58K get you in Iowa?
About septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners
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What this looks like in Iowa
Iowa sits well above the national pay line for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners, local pay runs about 16% higher than the U.S. median of $50K. Rent runs $1,064/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $73K or more, a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners salary by metro in Iowa
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $66K | +14% | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $64K | +10% | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $64K | +10% | 60 |
| Sioux City | $53K | -8% | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $52K | -11% | 90 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaner afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 27.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners typically earn — is $41K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,439/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaner a high-paying job in Iowa?
Local pay is 16% above the national median — $58K here vs. $50K nationally.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners?
Iowa pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $50K — that’s +16%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners make in Iowa?
The median is $57,980 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,650, and experienced septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners can clear $72,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,812/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 27.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners salary go in Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners salary is worth about $65,249 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.