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Drain Cleaner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Maintain a safe work environment by following company procedures Report drains that are out of standard condition Clean and sanitize trench and round drains following drain cleaning procedure SOP ...

Ongoing training and career development Your Role - Drain Cleaning Technician You'll be on the front lines helping residential and commercial customers get back to normal by providing expert-level ...

As a Drain Cleaning service professional, you'll be doing something that matters! At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, you don't need prior plumbing experience or licenses to join our team. (But if you have some ...

As a Drain Cleaning service professional, you'll be doing something that matters! At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, you don't need prior plumbing experience or licenses to join our team. (But if you have some ...

As a Drain Cleaning service professional, you'll be doing something that matters! At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, you don't need prior plumbing experience or licenses to join our team. (But if you have some ...

As a Drain Cleaning service professional, you'll be doing something that matters! At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, you don't need prior plumbing experience or licenses to join our team. (But if you have some ...

As a Drain Cleaning service professional, you'll be doing something that matters! At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, you don't need prior plumbing experience or licenses to join our team. (But if you have some ...

Drain Cleaner Technician

Newberg, OR · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Rooter Plumbing of Salem as a Drain Cleaner-Technician, where you'll play a vital role in ensuring our customers' plumbing systems are running smoothly. Be part of a dedicated team that prides itself ...

Drain Cleaner Technician

Eugene, OR · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Rooter Plumbing as a Drain Cleaner-Technician, where you'll play a vital role in ensuring our customers' plumbing systems are running smoothly. Be part of a dedicated team that prides itself on ...

Drain Cleaner Technician

Salem, OR · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Rooter Plumbing as a Drain Cleaner-Technician, where you'll play a vital role in ensuring our customers' plumbing systems are running smoothly. Be part of a dedicated team that prides itself on ...

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Drain Cleaner information

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$14

$26

$42

How much do drain cleaner jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for drain cleaner in the United States is $26.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drain Cleaner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drain Cleaner, you need a good understanding of plumbing systems, manual dexterity, and problem-solving abilities, often supported by a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training. Familiarity with drain cleaning machines, augers, pipe inspection cameras, and sometimes relevant safety certifications is typically required. Strong customer service skills, reliability, and attention to detail help set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure efficient service, safety, and customer satisfaction when resolving plumbing issues.

What does a drain cleaner do?

A drain cleaner is a professional who specializes in clearing clogs and blockages from plumbing systems, such as sinks, toilets, and main sewer lines. They use specialized tools and techniques, like drain snakes, augers, and sometimes hydro-jetting equipment, to remove debris and restore proper water flow. Drain cleaners also inspect pipes for damage or recurring issues and may offer advice on preventing future blockages. Their work ensures that residential and commercial plumbing systems function efficiently and safely.

What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Drain Cleaner?

As a drain cleaner, you clear clogs from various types of drains and pipes such as floor drains, sinks, tubs, toilets, and urinals. You typically use equipment like electric snakes, high-velocity water jets, and sewer cameras for inspecting drain lines. More advanced positions have responsibilities involving technical service, such as repairing underground sewers and drains using excavation methods. Other duties include fixing frozen lines and steam thawing. You must maintain a safe work environment by following company rules and any state or local policies.

What is the difference between Drain Cleaner vs Plumber?

AspectDrain CleanerPlumber
Credentials/CertificationsTypically no formal certification required, but some may have training or licensesRequires plumbing license and certifications
Work EnvironmentPrimarily performs cleaning and unclogging tasks, often in residential or commercial settingsPerforms installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing systems in various settings
Industry UsageUsed mainly for drain cleaning and minor repairsInvolved in comprehensive plumbing services including repairs, installations, and inspections

Drain cleaners focus on clearing clogs and cleaning drains, often with specialized tools or chemicals. Plumbers have broader responsibilities, including installing and repairing plumbing systems, and typically hold certifications. While drain cleaners may work independently or for cleaning services, plumbers are licensed professionals providing a wide range of plumbing solutions.

What are some common challenges that Drain Cleaners face on the job, and how can they be addressed?

Drain Cleaners often encounter challenges such as working in confined or awkward spaces, exposure to unpleasant odors, and dealing with tough blockages that require specialized tools. Staying up-to-date with the latest equipment and safety protocols helps address these challenges. Additionally, effective communication with clients and team members ensures the job is completed safely and efficiently, while wearing proper protective gear minimizes health risks.
What cities are hiring for Drain Cleaner jobs? Cities with the most Drain Cleaner job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Drain Cleaner jobs? The most popular types of Drain Cleaner jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Drain Cleaner jobs? The top employers for Drain Cleaner jobs are:
What states have the most Drain Cleaner jobs? States with the most job openings for Drain Cleaner jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Drain Cleaner jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Drain Cleaner jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Drain Cleaner jobs? For Drain Cleaner jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Drain Cleaner job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 57% Full Time, 40% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,852 per year, or $26.4 per hour.
Sanitor/Drain Cleaner

Sanitor/Drain Cleaner

GDI, Inc.

Jackson, TN • On-site

$15.65/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 26 days ago


GDI Integrated Facility Services rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

137th of 209 rated facilities management


Job description

GDI Services, Inc., one of the leading providers of quality facilities management services for manufacturing & industrial, distribution, healthcare, commercial, and education facilities is in need of a drain cleaner in Jackson, TN.
Pay Rate: $15.65 per hour
Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm
We offer Promotional Opportunities
Medical, dental, vision coverage
Employee Assistance Program
Job duties included, but not limited to:
Maintain a safe work environment by following company procedures
Report drains that are out of standard condition
Clean and sanitize trench and round drains following drain cleaning procedure SOP
Clean and sanitize tools every day
Follow color code requirements
This company participates in E-Verity
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

What GDI Integrated Facility Services employees say

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GDI Integrated Facility Services logo

About GDI Integrated Facility Services

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

When you partner with GDI, we work behind our mission as a commercial cleaning company to consistently deliver the best, most trusted facility services and innovative solutions to meet our clients need and standards. Our executive team is comprised of commercial cleaning company industry leaders who have established knowledge and capabilities on cleaning, technical services and manufacturing for years — leading and steering the ships for almost 24,000 employees in North America. From our humble beginnings in 1926, to becoming the fifth-largest facility services business in North America, GDI would not be the office cleaning company it is today without looking back at how we have grown through purchase/partnership transactions with strong local businesses to help us enter into new geographies, broaden our service offering, add to the strength and depth of our management team and ultimately, to service our clients better.

Industry

Facilities support services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Southfield, MI, US