Septic Tank and Related Services Revenue Benchmarks
The average septic tank and related services business in the United States generates $797K in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 3,748 septic tank and related services businesses in the U.S., employing 29,628 workers with an average profit margin of 8.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $61K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Septic Tank and Related Business Actually Do?
Septic system installation, pumping, and repair. Serve homes and small businesses without municipal sewer.
Who buys: Rural and suburban property owners with septic systems.
Average Revenue
$797K
per year
Profit Margin
8.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$101K
per year
Total Businesses
3,748
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$64K
small business avg
Labor Cost
55.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$61K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
1.1
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Septic Tank and Related Services Charge?
Septic pumping, installation, and repair services.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Septic tank pumping (1,000 gal) | $300–500 |
Septic tank pumping (1,500 gal) | $400–650 |
Septic inspection | $150–450 |
New septic system install | $5,000–15,000+ |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete septic tank and related business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a septic tank and related services business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the septic tank and related services industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Direct service costs | $7 | $59K | Cleaning supplies, uniforms, equipment consumables — depends on service type. |
Wages & benefits | $55 | $438K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $6 | $44K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $4 | $29K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $20 | $162K | Insurance, background checks, training, transportation, admin. |
Net profit | $8 | $64K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
10.9%
openings/year
Closure Rate
8.85%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+3.15%
annual
Businesses Closed
833
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Septic Tank and Related Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
28 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a septic tank and related services business do?
- Septic system installation, pumping, and repair. Serve homes and small businesses without municipal sewer. Rural and suburban property owners with septic systems.
- How much do septic tank and related services charge?
- Septic pumping, installation, and repair services. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average septic tank and related services make per year?
- The average septic tank and related services business generates $797K in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $64K per year at a 8.0% profit margin.
- How many septic tank and related services businesses are there in the US?
- There are 3,748 septic tank and related services businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 29,628 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a septic tank and related services business?
- Startup costs for a septic tank and related services business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the septic tank and related services industry?
- The average employee in the septic tank and related services industry earns $61K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The septic tank and related services industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 3.2% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (10.9% entry vs 8.8% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 63% of septic tank and related services businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 833 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the septic tank and related services industry earns $60,871/year. This is near the national average of ~$65K. With 4,419 establishments employing 33,433 people, the typical business has about 8 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The septic tank and related services industry has grown 88% since 2000 (from 5,282 to 9,946 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Septic Tank and Related Services revenue with other industries: