GovJobs WikiAn independent directory of U.S. government jobs
Job title · SOC 47-4071

Sewer / Collection System Worker

Also known as: sewer worker

01

Overview

Sourced

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.

O*NET definition of Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (SOC 47-4071) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.

6,670
in government (SOC 47-4071)
22%
of this occupation works for government
$55,860
median pay in government
Local
levels of government

Titles employers use

Drain CleanerSeptic Pump Truck DriverSeptic Tank Service TechnicianService TechnicianDrain TechnicianPublic Works TechnicianSeptic CleanerSewer Bricklayer
How people usually get in Editorial
collection-system certification. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

02

Requirements

Sourced
Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 47-4071)
Education needed to enter
High school diploma or equivalent
Related work experience
None
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

Less than a High School Diploma
37%
High School Diploma or the equivalent
40%
Post-Secondary Certificate
22%
Some College Courses
0%

Share of surveyed workers in Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (SOC 47-4071) naming each level as required to be hired, 27 respondents, O*NET survey July 2017. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

04

Academy and training

Sourced
Training to become competent (BLS)
SOC 47-4071
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation level (O*NET)
Job zone
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

06

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Certification grade: state certification grade drives the class (operator I–IV). Typical structure for a certified operator; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

  1. Operator-in-Training
  2. Grade I
  3. Grade II
  4. Grade III
  5. Grade IV / Chief Operator

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

07

Pay

Sourced
Federal
Not published
State
Not published
Local
$55,860
All government
$55,860
Private sector
$48,840

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer typeWorkers10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
Local6,670$37,840$45,730$55,860$66,420$78,620
All government6,670$37,840$45,730$55,860$66,420$78,620
Private sector23,980$36,930$42,850$48,840$59,840$71,420

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

08

Schedule

Sourced
Work schedule
Regular
65%
Irregular
35%
Seasonal
0%
Typical work week
Less than 40 hours
0%
40 hours
40%
More than 40 hours
60%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, July 2017). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

12

Day-to-day work

Sourced
  1. Communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.4.0
  2. Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.4.0
  3. Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.4.0
  4. Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.3.9
  5. Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.3.9
  6. Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.3.9
  7. Measure excavation sites, using plumbers' snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.3.9
  8. Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.3.7
  9. Locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.3.7
  10. Dig out sewer lines manually, using shovels.3.5

The 10 most important of 10 core tasks for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of July 2017.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived
Custodian (schools & public buildings)
Same job family
Fleet Mechanic (city/county)
Same job family
Heavy Equipment Operator (government)
Same job family
Lineworker (public power utility)
Same job family
Parks / Grounds Maintenance Worker
Same job family
Public Works / Street Maintenance Worker
Same job family
Sanitation Worker / Refuse Collector
Same job family
Stationary Engineer (public facilities)
Same job family
14

Exams and free practice tests

Sourced

Free practice tests

Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.

16

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (SOC 47-4071) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

StateWorkers10th pct.Median90th pct.
Nebraska300$42,210$66,890$71,570
New Jersey220$49,970$64,650$90,210
New Hampshire310$46,710$64,590$82,160
Washington1,600$46,690$63,090$83,830
Minnesota240$44,520$62,190$76,190
Connecticut280$50,330$60,700$79,190
Nevada220$45,510$60,180$64,810
Iowa630$40,650$57,980$72,660
Oregon560$41,140$57,920$71,030
Alaska280$49,740$57,720$75,970
Wisconsin1,050$35,640$57,340$73,530
Montana290$39,130$56,860$79,170
Maryland160$37,910$56,410$70,910
California3,130$39,890$55,220$79,260
New York1,550$38,520$55,220$74,720
Hawaii80$48,600$54,530$71,860
Illinois1,210$35,380$53,190$81,390
Massachusetts620$44,670$53,080$73,240
Pennsylvania1,530$38,320$52,070$74,030
Georgia590$36,470$51,880$67,200
Colorado500$39,990$51,700$74,450
Missouri1,160$39,640$51,560$63,770
Ohio1,000$39,040$50,750$76,290
Michigan1,080$40,900$50,040$62,460
Utah200$45,850$49,770$70,700
Louisiana500$39,590$48,900$76,080
Maine160$36,930$48,530$59,260
Delaware30$37,440$48,440$56,930
Indiana770$35,210$48,380$68,490
Arizona590$35,360$47,670$62,450
Wyoming90$37,550$47,520$63,320
Alabama400$37,610$47,370$57,500
North Carolina1,020$36,510$47,280$71,690
Virginia890$36,610$47,150$62,570
Kansas150$36,450$46,960$53,000
Idaho230$36,870$46,860$64,000
South Carolina640$33,350$46,660$59,440
North Dakota70$42,410$46,340$78,570
Florida1,330$36,760$46,150$64,000
Vermont140$39,780$46,140$62,750
Kentucky280$35,980$43,980$65,600
Texas2,430$34,670$43,860$64,380
Oklahoma670$32,830$40,960$54,530
New Mexico160$34,520$40,230$47,960
South Dakota120$36,810$40,040$57,300
Tennessee550$29,880$39,480$60,760
Mississippi230$26,530$38,870$60,670
ArkansasNot published$33,880$38,330$47,350
West Virginia70$23,320$36,200$43,630

49 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

  • 03 Hiring process
    The steps in order and how long they take: application, written and physical tests, oral board, background check, polygraph, psychological and medical exams, eligibility list
    Not yet collected
  • 05 Probation
    Probation length and what ends it
    Not yet collected
  • 09 Benefits and pension
    Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
    Not yet collected
  • 10 Union contracts
    Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
    Not yet collected
  • 11 Transfers and lateral entry
    Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
    Not yet collected
  • 15 Employer directory
    Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
    Not yet collected