FairangeSeptic · TN
Septic cost in Chattanooga, TN
Planning ranges for septic work in Chattanooga, TN-GA, built from BLS OEWS May 2025 wages (SOC 47-4071) plus our published hours and materials. Open any job row to run it on your ZIP.
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
Chattanooga, TN-GA has its own Septic labor market; here is what the BLS numbers say before you chase bids. Mean hourly pay here sits about 17% below the national OEWS mean.
Mean Septic pay here is $21.27/hr — national rank 204 of 224 areas that publish this occupation. Inside TN, that is rank 4 of 7 published areas. The published p10–p90 band runs $14.32 to $30.64 (a $16.32 spread around the $21.27 mean; median $18.06).
OEWS counts about 30 Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners jobs in this area. Nationwide that occupation is about 30,650. Sample jobs: Septic Tank Pumping mid estimate $266 here vs $295 U.S. (10% below); Septic Inspection mid estimate $120 here vs $141 U.S. (15% below).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin ($21.98, 0.71 higher); Knoxville ($22.45, 1.18 higher); Memphis ($23.20, 1.93 higher).
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Septic Tank Pumping (calc) | $121 | $266 | $550 |
| Septic Inspection (calc) | $29 | $120 | $366 |
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.
Local tip: Local code, permit fees, and how busy crews are this month move numbers as much as wage rates do.
What usually moves the number
- Scope surprises: duct repairs, panel upgrades, extra roof layers.
- How booked local crews are this season.
- Materials choices — we only nudge materials with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Getting quotes without the circus
- Screenshot our mid/low/high band.
- Ask three licensed, insured pros for written scopes.
- Compare exclusions — permits, haul-away, thermostats, flashing — before crowning a winner.
Septic cost FAQ — Chattanooga
How much does septic cost in Chattanooga?
We combine OEWS wages for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners with published hours and materials assumptions for jobs like septic tank pumping, septic inspection. Treat the table as a planning band, then collect written bids.
Where do the wages come from?
BLS OEWS May 2025 — mean $21.27, median $18.06, p10–p90 $14.32–$30.64 (SOC 47-4071).
Is this a contractor quote?
No. Fairange publishes educational planning ranges. Markup is 2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5× on labor; materials use cited retail baselines with a dampened regional factor. See methodology.
Job guides: Septic Tank Pumping · Septic Inspection. Reports: repair labor by metro. Open calculator with your ZIP.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Septic (47-4071) | $21.27/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.
Paid listing for Chattanooga, TN-GA Septic. Partner.
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Gear people often ask about
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A decent thermostat won’t fix a bad install, but it can stop the short-cycling arguments.
Partner options Affiliate linkTank, tankless, heat-pump — the sticker price is only half the story.
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Partner options Affiliate linkMonthly wage & cost note
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