How Much Does It Cost to Pump a Septic Tank? [2025 Data]
The cost of septic tank pumping is $423 on average, but it can cost between $200 and $1,240. Your pro will evaluate the size of your septic tank and access to determine your total cost.
If you don’t pump your tank regularly (every three to five years), you risk damaging your septic system and facing higher pumping costs.
Book in the fall or summer to get the best bang for your buck on rates and to avoid winter freezes.
You should also inspect and maintain your septic tank annually, which starts around $100 per year.
Unless you own a septic plumbing company, you shouldn’t attempt to DIY this task.
The average cost to pump a septic tank is $423, with most people paying between $289 and $557. Septic tank pumping isn’t the most glamorous task, but it’s one that you should definitely stay on top of every three to five years to keep your system working properly and avoid an unsightly (and smelly) mess in your yard. Here’s what you need to know about what you’ll pay to pump it.
Septic Tank Pumping Cost Factors
The two main factors that influence the cost of pumping a septic tank are size and usage. Smaller tanks and tanks that experience more frequent use will need to be pumped more often.
Septic Tank Pumping Cost by Size
Pumping a 600-gallon septic tank—like a small septic tank for one toilet—may cost as little as $250, while pumping a 2,000-gallon septic tank may cost $700 or more. The most common septic tank sizes, however, are the more moderately sized ones, averaging between 1,000 and 1,500 gallons.
Here’s a breakdown of septic tank pumping costs by size:
| Septic Tank Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 750 gallons | $250–$550 |
| 1,000 gallons | $325–$700 |
| 1,250 gallons | $375–$900 |
| 1,500 gallons | $450–$1,100 |
| 1,750 gallons | $550–$1,250 |
Septic Tank Pumping Cost by Usage
Tanks with high usage will need to be pumped more regularly. For example, if you frequently use large amounts of water, put food down the garbage disposal, or host parties with lots of guests, you’ll need to pump your septic tank more often. On the other hand, larger septic tanks take longer to fill and therefore need to be pumped less frequently.
Alan and Colby did a great job for us. The water was slow to drain and they found out right away what was wrong. They drained the tank brought the septic tank up to code and drained the septic field of all fluid. They were both professional and friendly throughout and my wife and I appreciated everything they did. They very much went above and beyond and we will immediately contact them if we need any further or future work done on our system. Use this company if you have any septic system problems. They really deserve more than 5 stars. Thanks Alan and Colby, Eddie and Joy.
Septic Tank Pumping Cost by Frequency
The cost of septic tank pumping can rise drastically when property owners aren't keeping up with having a tank pumped every three to five years.
Not pumping a tank on schedule will cause solids to build up until a tank's holding capacity is diminished, which results in a clog. On average, septic tank repairs cost $1,830 but they can range from $165 to $6,500.
Pumping your septic tank every three to five years is one of the most important septic maintenance tasks. When you combine that with flushing only approved items (toilet paper and waste) and avoiding driving over your drain field, you have a recipe for a long-lasting septic system.
Tanks should be pumped more frequently in larger households. Pumping should also take place more often if your home has a garbage disposal, you entertain frequently, or you often dump harsh cleaning solutions down your drains.
Here’s how often you should pump your septic tank based on its size:
| Septic Tank Size | Home Size | Average Pumping Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 500 gallons | 1 bedroom | 5 years |
| 750 gallons | 2 bedrooms | 5 years |
| 1,000 gallons | 3 bedrooms | 3 years |
| 1,250 gallons | 4 bedrooms | 3 years |
| 1,500 gallons | 5 bedrooms | 2 to 3 years |
| 1,750 gallons | 6+ bedrooms | 2 years |
How Seasonality Affects the Cost to Pump a Septic Tank
During certain times of the year, especially in areas with harsh winters, the demand for septic tank services can fluctuate, leading to varying prices.
It’s not recommended to book a septic tank pumping in the winter months if your area gets heavy snow and ice. Frozen ground and slippery conditions make it more difficult for pros to access your tank, increasing labor and equipment costs.
Spring is the most popular time for homeowners to get their septic systems pumped and checked. The increased demand can cause prices to spike. If your tank isn’t too full, consider booking in the summer or early fall, when there’s less demand.
Cost by Access to Tank
If your septic tank is located in a hard-to-reach area, such as under a deck or on uneven terrain, it can make the job more challenging and expensive. Similarly, tanks that are buried deeper underground require more effort to uncover and pump, so it’s a good idea to budget for a higher pumping fee.
Cost to Pump a Septic Tank by Location
Property location impacts the cost of pumping a septic tank. While costs vary by region, property owners also have to consider the price differences between rural and urban areas when anticipating their septic tank service bills. Septic tank pumping costs more in populated areas compared to rural ones due to the complexity of navigating equipment to reach tanks.
Even so, the costs to pump a septic tank can vary widely between urban areas. In Minneapolis, for example, the average cost to pump a tank is $175 to $275, while that same service in Portland, Oregon, can cost up to $750.
Here’s a breakdown of septic tank pumping costs based on location:
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $440–$750 |
| Boise, ID | $250–$440 |
| Denver, CO | $260–$350 |
| Little Rock, AR | $260–$510 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $360–$600 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $175–$275 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $245–$320 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $245–$435 |
| Concord, NH | $255–$330 |
| Long Island, NY | $275–$515 |
Septic Tank Ongoing Costs
Septic tank pumping is just one cost associated with properly maintaining a home’s septic system. Here are some additional services and ongoing expenses that are often associated with septic tanks:
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Overflow cleanup | $7–$15 per sq. ft. |
| Inspections | $250–$1,175 |
| Maintenance | $100–$1,000 |
| Tank cleaning | $400–$1,000 |
| Clog removal | $1,700 |
| Field aeration | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Septic tank additives | $300–$600 |
Sewer Line Inspection Costs
While the average price for a sewer line inspection is $450, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $1,175. Using a camera to perform a sewer line inspection, a plumber will look for issues that could lead to expensive repairs down the road. Some of the red flags a sewer line inspection can uncover include line breakage, embedded objects, tree roots, and rocks.
Clog Removal Costs
Average septic tank repairs cost approximately $1,700. Clog removal is the most common septic tank repair because it's easy for objects to find their way down a drain. The most common way to fix a septic tank clog is to use an auger to reach the clog.
Homeowners may not realize there's a clog until they notice the telltale septic tank clog signs of slow draining, standing water near the tank, bad odors, gurgling sounds in the plumbing system, or water and sewage bubbling from toilets, drains, and sinks.
Septic Tank Maintenance Costs
While septic tank pumping is needed every three to five years, annual tank inspections and maintenance can be helpful for detecting issues before they worsen. The maintenance technician can also let you know when it's time to pump. Septic tank maintenance costs between $100 to $1,000.
Field Aeration Costs
Aeration is the process of upgrading a septic system without actually doing a major update. This process costs between $10,000 and $20,000 and revives sluggish septic systems without replacing the full leach field. It turns your system from an oxygen-free anaerobic system to an oxygen-rich aerobic environment.
Yard Cleanup Costs
Yard cleaning is necessary if sewage from a septic system spills into the grass. While some people prefer to handle the mess by using bleach and water to disinfect the area, others bring in professional yard cleaners to make the area hygienic again. Lime is also frequently used to break down sewage quickly. Outdoor sewage cleanup costs an average of $7 to $15 per square foot.
Septic Tank Cleaning Costs
While the average cost to clean a septic tank is $400, it's common for cleaning costs for large tanks to run closer to $1,000.
DIY Septic Tank Pumping vs. Hiring a Pro
Septic tank pumping is a job that’s best left to professionals. Not only is pumping sludge from your septic tank pretty unpleasant, but it also requires specialized equipment you probably don’t have lying around the house. After you remove waste from the septic tank, it must be properly transported and disposed of.
There’s also the risk of environmental contamination and legal issues if the tank is improperly pumped.
For most homeowners, it’s safer and more cost-effective to leave this task to a pro. You can reach out to a local septic tank cleaner to discuss your options and receive a personalized quote.
5 Ways to Save on Septic Tank Pumping Costs
Pumping your septic tank doesn't have to drain your bank account. Some septic tank maintenance tips can help you save on septic tank pumping costs without neglecting this important task.
Put a family meeting on the schedule for debunking septic tank myths about what you can and can’t flush. Only flush toilet paper and human waste.
Never pour chemicals down the drain. If you think your tank needs some help, call a pro to take care of it.
Don’t drive or park cars or heavy machinery over your leach field.
Don’t pump your tank too frequently, but do stick to a regular pumping schedule.
“Don't skip pumpings,” says Joseph Wood, Angi Expert Board Review member and Master Plumber at Boston Standard company. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the damage from a sewer backup in your home can be catastrophic.”
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few tell-tale signs that you have a full septic tank. Slow draining, unpleasant odors around drains or the tank area, pooling water around the tank, and gurgling pipes are a few common indicators of a full tank. If sewage is backing up into your home, it’s a serious sign that your septic tank is full and needs immediate attention. When you notice any of these signs, contact a local septic tank company promptly to have it emptied.
Unlike an urban sewer system that runs wastewater into a central drainage system, septic tanks are a house-by-house system. They are the ultimate destination for all your house’s wastewater—from bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilets, and washing machines. Wastewater flows into a tank buried in the ground outside your home, and then water runs from the tank to a drainage field using sloped pipes.
If you damage your septic system, it could be expensive to repair. Septic system repair costs run from $200 to $6,000, and major repairs on your drain field can be even more expensive at $15,000 or more. In short, septic tank pumping is a chore that you don’t want to skip. If you’re having trouble with your septic system, get in touch with a septic tank maintenance professional near you to discuss your options.
Septic tank odors can happen because of a few different issues with your septic system, such as a full tank, clogged drains, or blocked venting systems. Not only is a smelly septic tank pretty unpleasant, but it can also pose a potential hazard to yourself and your home. Toxic fumes could be hanging around, or untreated wastewater could be harming the environment.
How often you need to pump your tank depends on the size of your tank and how many people live in your home. The average recommended frequency is every three to five years. However, your tank may need more or less frequent pumpings than that.
For example, a single person with a 1,000-gallon septic tank may only need to pump it every nine to 12 years, while a five-person family with the same sized tank may need to pump it every two to four years.
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