How much does a sewer make?
The median sewer in the United States earns $33,760 per year, about $16.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all sewers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-6051.
Sewer salary range
Pay for sewers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $25,530 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $46,320. The average (mean) wage of $34,810 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,530 | $12.28 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $29,210 | $14.04 | |
| Median (50th) | $33,760 | $16.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $38,180 | $18.36 | |
| 90th percentile | $46,320 | $22.27 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for sewers, hand (SOC 51-6051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Sewer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Sewers earn the most in Colorado at $44,090 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $21,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $44,090 | 40 |
| Georgia | $39,400 | 80 |
| Indiana | $38,710 | N/A |
| New York | $36,260 | 220 |
| Florida | $36,090 | 190 |
| California | $35,550 | 150 |
| Illinois | $34,000 | 170 |
| Massachusetts | $33,430 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $33,310 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,790 | 220 |
| Maryland | $32,570 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $30,630 | N/A |
| Maine | $30,170 | 50 |
| Missouri | $29,780 | 60 |
| Ohio | $28,390 | 30 |
| Alabama | $28,190 | N/A |
| Texas | $27,590 | 250 |
| Mississippi | $21,170 | 70 |
State median wages for sewers, hand (SOC 51-6051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for sewers
The BLS projects employment of sewers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 12%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for sewers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a sewer
The typical entry-level education for sewers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a sewer earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Colorado, $44,090) and the lowest (Mississippi, $21,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,240 people work as sewers in the United States. At $33,760 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Sewer salary FAQ
How much does a sewer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a sewer is $16.23. The middle half of sewers earn between $14.04 and $18.36 per hour.
What is the highest sewer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of sewers earn more than $46,320 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a sewer make a year?
The median annual salary for a sewer is $33,760. The average (mean) wage of $34,810 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a sewer a well paid job?
At $33,760 a year, a sewer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,240 people work as sewers in the United States.
Which state pays sewers the most?
Colorado has the highest median salary for sewers at $44,090 a year. Georgia ($39,400) and Indiana ($38,710) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a sewer a good career?
Employment of sewers is projected to shrink 12% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a sewer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for sewers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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