Find Trade Colleges
What is an Utilities Meter Reader?
Occupation Description Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Life As an Utilities Meter Reader
- Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
- Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
- Answer customers’ questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
- Report lost or broken keys.
- Upload into office computers all information collected on hand-held computers during meter rounds, or return route books or hand-held computers to business offices so that data can be compiled.
- Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Utilities Meter Reader?
Below is a list of the skills most Utilities Meter Readers say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Utilities Meter Reader
- Meter Reader Inspector
- Gas Meter Reader
- Utility Technician
- Electric Meter Reader
- Meter Technician
Job Demand for Utilities Meter Readers
There were about 34,800 jobs for Utilities Meter Reader in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Utilities Meter Reader. There will be an estimated 2,300 positions for Utilities Meter Reader per year.
The states with the most job growth for Utilities Meter Reader are Alaska, Nevada, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Colorado, New Hampshire, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Utilities Meter Reader Salary
The salary for Utilities Meter Readers ranges between about $24,600 and $71,040 a year.
Utilities Meter Readers who work in Delaware, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.
How much do Utilities Meter Readers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $38,920 |
Alaska | $59,040 |
Arizona | $51,690 |
Arkansas | $29,180 |
California | $61,010 |
Colorado | $60,130 |
Connecticut | $59,240 |
Delaware | $57,780 |
Florida | $38,090 |
Georgia | $37,480 |
Hawaii | $49,500 |
Idaho | $51,560 |
Illinois | $53,110 |
Indiana | $41,730 |
Iowa | $46,680 |
Kansas | $43,820 |
Kentucky | $36,240 |
Louisiana | $27,740 |
Maine | $39,210 |
Maryland | $44,510 |
Massachusetts | $61,540 |
Michigan | $43,320 |
Minnesota | $54,190 |
Mississippi | $30,260 |
Missouri | $39,720 |
Montana | $55,740 |
Nebraska | $46,390 |
Nevada | $58,920 |
New Hampshire | $57,370 |
New Mexico | $37,170 |
New York | $59,670 |
North Carolina | $41,160 |
North Dakota | $49,560 |
Ohio | $45,070 |
Oklahoma | $36,380 |
Oregon | $48,920 |
Pennsylvania | $52,090 |
South Carolina | $37,280 |
Tennessee | $42,550 |
Texas | $33,610 |
Utah | $49,050 |
Vermont | $55,670 |
Virginia | $39,950 |
Washington | $48,810 |
West Virginia | $40,040 |
Wisconsin | $56,730 |
Wyoming | $49,770 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Utilities Meter Readers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Utilities Meter Readers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Billing software
- Mapping software
How do I Become an Utilities Meter Reader?
Individuals working as an Utilities Meter Reader have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become an Utilities Meter Reader?
You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as an Utilities Meter Reader sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.