FairangeSeptic · NC
Septic costs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Last updated from data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · PPI construction materials 2026-09 · estimates only
How this market compares
If you are pricing Septic work in Durham-Chapel Hill, the wage file is the honest place to start. Mean hourly pay here sits about 55% above the national OEWS mean.
Mean Septic pay here is $39.75/hr — national rank 1 of 224 areas that publish this occupation. Compared with other NC areas that report Septic wages, this market is #1 of 9. Hourly wages stretch from $20.28 (10th percentile) to $79.37 (90th). That $59.09 gap is why two bids on the same scope can still look honest.
Local employment for this SOC is roughly 50 workers (OEWS May 2025). Nationwide that occupation is about 30,650. Sample jobs: Septic Tank Pumping mid estimate $386 here vs $295 U.S. (31% above); Septic Inspection mid estimate $206 here vs $141 U.S. (46% above).
Nearby / same-state markets worth checking: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia ($25.72, 14.03 lower); Greensboro-High Point ($24.43, 15.32 lower); Raleigh-Cary ($23.74, 16.01 lower).
Sample project ranges
| Project | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Septic Tank Pumping | $147 | $386 | $1,064 |
| Septic Inspection | $41 | $206 | $803 |
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.
Check our math
BLS OEWS May 2025 · local hourly means the calculator uses
| Septic (47-4071) | $39.75/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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Septic. Partner.
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Gear people often ask about
We’re not a store. These spots are for partner recommendations — clearly labeled. We may earn a commission if you buy through a link here.
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.
Partner options Affiliate linkRead the exclusions. “Full coverage” rarely means what the brochure implies.
Partner options Affiliate linkMonthly wage & cost note
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