Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping.

Median Annual Wage: $34,810

Education: Less than high school diploma (46%); High school diploma or equivalent (37%); Post-secondary certificate (16%)

Projected Growth: Much faster than average (22% or higher)

Related Job Titles: Utility Worker; Service Technician; Septic Pump Truck Driver; Sewer and Drain Technician; Drain Cleaner; Public Works Technician; Sewer and Drain Cleaner; Maintenance Worker; Septic Cleaner

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners.

More Construction and Extraction Careers

  • Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.
  • Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
  • Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
  • Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.
  • Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines.
  • Install rotary knives on flexible cables mounted on machine reels, according to the diameters of pipes to be cleaned.
  • Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.
  • Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.
  • Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
  • Start machines to feed revolving cables or rods into openings, stopping machines and changing knives to conform to pipe sizes.
  • Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
  • Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
  • Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.
  • Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.
  • Break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners.

  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners.

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