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Septic Tank Servicers

Construction, Maintenance & Repairvery lowaugment
Projected change (est.): ~+6%
Median Wage (est.): ~$45,030
Employment (est.): ~27K

Overall Exposure

7+4

2025 vs 2023

Theoretical Exposure

14

What AI could do

Observed Exposure

3

What AI actually does

Automation Risk Score

5

Displacement risk

3-Year Outlook (2025 → 2028)

Projected changes in AI automation metrics over the next 3 years based on estimated data.

Overall Exposure

7→14
+7

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Theoretical Exposure

14→24
+10

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Observed Exposure

3→7
+4

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Automation Risk

5→10
+5

2025 → 2028 (estimated)

Exposure Metrics (2023 - 2028)

Task Breakdown

Pump out and clean septic tanks and cesspools
5%β 0
Inspect sewer lines with video camera equipment
22%β 0.5
Repair and replace damaged pipes and fittings
3%β 0
Maintain service records and schedule appointments
55%β 1
Test systems for compliance with environmental regulations
28%β 0.5

About This Occupation

If you work as a Septic Tank Servicer, AI is reshaping your profession. With an automation risk of 5/100 and overall exposure at 7%, this role faces very-low transformation. The highest-impact area is maintain service records and schedule appointments at 55% automation. This is classified as an 'augment' role. BLS projects +6% growth through 2034. The physically demanding and site-specific nature of this work keeps AI impact minimal, though scheduling and records management are increasingly digitized.

ISCO-08 classification

Unit group 9129ILO official

Other Cleaning Workers

Definition

ILO original text (English)

This unit group includes cleaning workers not classified elsewhere. The group includes, for instance, those who clean surfaces, materials and objects, such as carpets, walls, swimming pools and cooling towers, using specialized cleaning equipment and chemicals.

Definition & vocabulary source

Source: International Labour Organization (ILO) — ISCO-08 Structure

License: ILO CC BY 4.0

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Official occupational information

  • ONET47-4071.00

    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.

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Source: O*NET 30.2, U.S. DOL/ETA

License: CC BY 4.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

With an automation risk score of 5%, Septic Tank Servicers has a low risk of AI replacement. Most tasks in this role require skills that are difficult for AI to replicate, such as complex decision-making, physical dexterity, or deep interpersonal interaction. AI is more likely to serve as a supportive tool.

Our estimated AI automation risk score for Septic Tank Servicers is 5% for 2025. Estimated overall AI exposure is 7%, with 14% theoretical exposure and 3% observed exposure. The estimated risk trend from 2023 to 2025 is +3 points. All of these are model-generated estimates, not measurements.

The tasks with the highest automation potential for Septic Tank Servicers are: Maintain service records and schedule appointments (55%), Test systems for compliance with environmental regulations (28%), Inspect sewer lines with video camera equipment (22%). These rates are our own estimates of how much of each task current AI systems can handle. They are not measurements and are not taken from any external dataset.

We estimate a +6% employment change for Septic Tank Servicers between 2024 and 2034. This is our own estimate, not a figure published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Combined with an estimated overall AI exposure of 7%, this occupation faces both traditional labor market shifts and AI-driven transformation. Workers should monitor both employment trends and AI capability growth.

Since AI primarily augments capabilities in this role, professionals in Septic Tank Servicers should embrace AI as a productivity multiplier. Focus on learning to use AI tools effectively, developing higher-order analytical and creative skills, and positioning yourself as someone who can leverage AI to deliver greater value.