Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Construction and Extraction
Trucks carry crews and equipment to the site; manholes are inspected to find where a line is blocked. Power rodders, high-velocity water jets, flushers, bucket machines, and vacuum machines are used to clear and clean sewers, septic tanks, culverts, and catch basins. Excavation spots are measured with snakes, tapelines, or cutting-head lengths, then marked for digging; damaged drain tile or breaks in underground piping get repaired, and tank walls may be patched. Records of maintenance and repairs are kept, and the machines themselves get service and minor fixes. The work tends to suit people who like hands-on diagnostics, working around underground systems, and keeping equipment in order.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$49'880
Median Wage Market Position
$49'880
What you might do
- Clean septic tanks, sewer lines, and drains
- Run water jets and other pipe-clearing machines
- Inspect manholes to find sewer line blockages
- Mark the ground where crews need to dig
- Drive trucks that carry crews and equipment
- Keep records of the repairs and maintenance done
Skills that matter
- Operating sewer jets and rodder machines
- Finding stoppages in sewer lines
- Repairing septic tanks and drain tile
- Servicing sewer-cleaning machines
- Deciding how to clear a blockage
- Listening for radio calls from the crew
AI & the future of this role
Cleaning and repairing buried tanks and sewer lines is messy, site-specific work that is hard to automate. Scheduling tools may help plan routes, but confined spaces, digging, and on-the-spot fixes still depend on skilled hands.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details