Septic · MT

Septic costs in Billings, MT

Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only

How this market compares

Skip the generic national blog post — this page is the Billings Septic slice of OEWS May 2025. Mean hourly pay here sits about 5% above the national OEWS mean.

Among 224 OEWS areas with published Septic wages, Billings ranks #64 nationally on mean hourly pay ($26.95). Compared with other MT areas that report Septic wages, this market is #2 of 3. Hourly wages stretch from $21.99 (10th percentile) to $37.25 (90th). That $15.26 gap is why two bids on the same scope can still look honest.

Local employment for this SOC is roughly 60 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 30,650. How a few common projects pencil out against the national mid: Septic Tank Pumping mid estimate $303 here vs $295 U.S. (3% above); Septic Inspection mid estimate $146 here vs $141 U.S. (4% above).

Same-state comparison: Bozeman ($30.42, 3.47 higher); Great Falls; Helena.

Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.

Sample project ranges

ProjectLowMidHigh
Septic Tank Pumping$147$303$624
Septic Inspection$44$146$427
Mean hourly wage
$26.95
Median hourly
$24.41
p10 – p90
$21.99 – $37.25

Getting quotes without the circus

  1. Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
  2. Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
  3. Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.

What usually moves the number

Rebates (verify; don’t trust a random Facebook ad)

Check IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE for any incentives that apply to this project. Start with IRS, ENERGY STAR, and DSIRE.

What this estimate can’t tell you. Roof pitch, an old house or code upgrades, tough access, permits, emergency or after-hours calls, and brand tier can push a real quote outside this range.

Check our math

BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses

Septic (47-4071)$26.95/hr mean

Source: official BLS OEWS data for this area · area index: oessrcma.htm.

Contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) and the regional materials factor are ours — see methodology.

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Gear people often ask about

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Thermostats

A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.

Partner options
Water heaters

Tank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.

Partner options
Warranties & financing

Read the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.

Partner options

Monthly wage & cost note

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