Grease Trap Cleaning Tampa prices grease interceptor pumping by tank size. In Tampa Bay, a 500–1,000 gallon interceptor typically costs $300–$550 per pump-out, 1,000–1,500 gallons $400–$650, 1,500–2,500 gallons $500–$850, and 2,500+ gallons $700–$1,200. The annual cost depends on how many pump-outs your jurisdiction requires.
Grease interceptor pumping cost by tank size
| Interceptor size | Typical price per pump-out | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 500–1,000 gallons | $300–$550 | Medium |
| 1,000–1,500 gallons | $400–$650 | Medium |
| 1,500–2,500 gallons | $500–$850 | Medium (wide spread) |
| 2,500+ gallons | $700–$1,200 | Low |
The medium-confidence ranges are backed by two independent sources: a Florida directory’s published Tampa Bay figures and a Florida county’s public bid. The 2,500+ range relies on commercial sources only.
What public contracts pay per gallon
Government contracts are a useful reality check because their prices are public. Brevard County awarded its 2024 countywide septic, grease trap and lift station contract at $0.20 per gallon (primary vendor) and $1.10 per gallon (secondary vendor) for grease trap cleaning in standard time. At those rates, pumping a full tank works out like this:
| Tank | At $0.20/gal | At $1.10/gal |
|---|---|---|
| 500 gal | $100 | $550 |
| 1,000 gal | $200 | $1,100 |
| 1,500 gal | $300 | $1,650 |
| 2,500 gal | $500 | $2,750 |
Brevard is on Florida’s east coast, not Tampa Bay, and a large public contract buys volume, so treat these as a bracket, not a quote. The Tampa Bay restaurant ranges above sit inside it.
What your pumping rule does to the annual cost
Visits per year are 365 days divided by your jurisdiction’s interval: 12–13 visits for a 30-day rule, 4–5 for a 90-day rule. Using the minimum visits for a 1,000–1,500 gallon interceptor at $400–$650:
| Where the kitchen drains | Rule | Visits/yr | Annual (minimum visits) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Largo | ~30 days | 12–13 | $4,800–$7,800 |
| Hillsborough County, Pasco County | 90 days max | 4–5 | $1,600–$2,600 |
| City of Tampa, Temple Terrace | Condition-based | By fill rate | $400–$650 × visits |
| Clearwater | Set by the city | By schedule | $400–$650 × visits |
A 25% limit (20% in Pasco) applies on top of the day count. A busy kitchen on a 90-day rule may need monthly service anyway. The cost estimator runs this for your unit.
What a fair price should include
A quote is only comparable if it covers the same work: pumping to empty (grease, gray water and solids), scraping the walls and baffles, checking the tees, disposal at a permitted facility, and a signed manifest with the ticket number. Tampa’s ordinance defines a pump-out exactly that way, and Pinellas County bans decanting and skimming. See grease interceptor pumping.
How to keep the cost down
- Pump on schedule. An overfull tank takes longer and costs more, and emergency work runs 20–100% higher.
- Cut grease at the source. St. Petersburg’s best-practice manual recommends dry-wiping pots and plates, using sink strainers, and keeping sink water under 140°F so grease doesn’t pass through and re-solidify downstream.
- Measure. Depths recorded at each visit can support a longer variance where your program allows one.
Bottom line
Expect $400–$650 per pump-out for a typical 1,000–1,500 gallon restaurant interceptor, times 4–13 visits a year depending on your rule. Ask whether disposal is included and whether the quote is a full pump-out. For a quote for your tank, call (727) 476-9241.