Septic Technician

The job of a Septic Technician is one of those where the day-to-day responsibilities aren’t that taxing, but the salary should be on a par with that of a Brain Surgeon. The reason for this is you deal with a lot of…well, how shall we say it…waste. Septic Technicians are the people who clean out septic tanks, which are integral parts of septic systems. Primarily found in rural or suburban areas, septic tanks are the outdoor tanks buried in the ground to hold the waste that comes from the toilets or sinks of houses or businesses.

A septic tank must be periodically cleaned out so it doesn’t overflow or break. Most states dictate that a Septic Technician must visit and clean the tank at least every three years. You use a series of hoses to suck everything from the tank into your truck, which is outfitted with a metal carrying container. From there, you carry it to a waste treatment facility.

Once the tank is emptied, you’re then able to check its condition. You use a mirror attached to a pole to look inside the tank for cracks or debris—anything that might affect how well it works.

The hardest part of this job is the smell. Open septic systems smell about as good as a full porta-potty, so if you have a really sensitive nose, you might want to consider another field.