What You Need to Know About Utilities Meter Reader
Utilities Meter Reader Definition Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Life As an Utilities Meter Reader: What Do They Do?
- Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.
- Collect past-due bills.
- Update client address and meter location information.
- Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
- Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
- Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
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Utilities Meter Reader Skills
When polled, Utilities Meter Readers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Meter Reading Clerk
- Meter Reader Inspector
- Utility Technician
- Meter Technician
- Water Meter Reader
What Kind of Utilities Meter Reader Job Opportunities Are There?
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. The BLS estimates 2,300 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Do Utilities Meter Readers Make A Lot Of Money?
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Utilities Meter Readers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Utilities Meter Readers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Billing software
- Mapping software
How to Become an Utilities Meter Reader
What education is needed to be an Utilities Meter Reader?

What work experience do I need to become an Utilities Meter Reader?

Utilities Meter Readers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those who work as an Utilities Meter Reader sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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