Life As an Utilities Meter Reader
Position Description Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Life As an Utilities Meter Reader
- Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
- Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
- 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.
- 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.
- Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.
What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Utilities Meter Reader?
These are the skills Utilities Meter Readers say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Utilities Meter Reader Jobs
- Electric Meter Reader
- Water Meter Reader
- Field Technician
- Customer Field Representative
- Fieldman
Are There Job Opportunities for Utilities Meter Readers?
There were about 34,800 jobs for Meter Readers, Utilities in 2016 (in the United States).
Utilities Meter Reader jobs are decreasing by a rate of -4.4%. This means the total job opportunities are shrinking. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a loss of -1,500 jobs for Utilities Meter Readers by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Meter Readers, Utilities are Texas, Georgia, and Florida.
Watch out if you plan on working in California, Ohio, or New York. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Utilities Meter Reader Make?
Meter Readers, Utilities Make between $24,600 and $71,040 a year. The median salary is $40,360.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Massachusetts |
$61,540 |
|
California |
$61,010 |
|
Colorado |
$60,130 |
|
New York |
$59,670 |
|
Connecticut |
$59,240 |
|
Alaska |
$59,040 |
|
Nevada |
$58,920 |
|
Delaware |
$57,780 |
|
New Hampshire |
$57,370 |
|
Wisconsin |
$56,730 |
|
Montana |
$55,740 |
|
Vermont |
$55,670 |
|
Minnesota |
$54,190 |
|
Illinois |
$53,110 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$52,090 |
|
Arizona |
$51,690 |
|
Idaho |
$51,560 |
|
Wyoming |
$49,770 |
|
North Dakota |
$49,560 |
|
Hawaii |
$49,500 |
|
Utah |
$49,050 |
|
Oregon |
$48,920 |
|
Washington |
$48,810 |
|
Iowa |
$46,680 |
|
Nebraska |
$46,390 |
|
Ohio |
$45,070 |
|
Maryland |
$44,510 |
|
Kansas |
$43,820 |
|
Michigan |
$43,320 |
|
Tennessee |
$42,550 |
|
Indiana |
$41,730 |
|
North Carolina |
$41,160 |
|
West Virginia |
$40,040 |
|
Virginia |
$39,950 |
|
Missouri |
$39,720 |
|
Maine |
$39,210 |
|
Alabama |
$38,920 |
|
Florida |
$38,090 |
|
Georgia |
$37,480 |
|
South Carolina |
$37,280 |
|
New Mexico |
$37,170 |
|
Oklahoma |
$36,380 |
|
Kentucky |
$36,240 |
|
Texas |
$33,610 |
|
Mississippi |
$30,260 |
|
Arkansas |
$29,180 |
|
Louisiana |
$27,740 |
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 Word
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Excel
- Data entry software
How do I Become an Utilities Meter Reader?
What education or degrees do I need to become an Utilities Meter Reader?
How Long Does it Take to Become Utilities Meter Reader?
Where Utilities Meter Readers Are Employed
Related Careers
Those who work as Utilities Meter Readers sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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