Across U.S. metros, septic & sewer technicians typically earn $4,140 more a year than construction laborers (9%). In the 150 metros where BLS publishes both, construction laborers earn more in 49 and septic & sewer technicians in 101.
| Construction Laborer | Septic & Sewer Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $46,850 | $50,990 |
| Lowest metro median | $23,510 | $36,350 |
| Highest metro median | $83,680 | $75,010 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +7.3% | +7.8% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 120,000 | 2,800 |
| Self-employed | 27% | 3% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Short-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 218 | 162 |
| Metros with pay data | 391 | 150 |
On safety, construction laborers report more injuries that cause missed work (218 vs. 162 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where construction laborers out-earn septic & sewer technicians the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where septic & sewer technicians out-earn construction laborers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
What each trade does
Construction Laborer
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Septic & Sewer Technician
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.
Compare one trade across two cities →