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Utilities Meter Reader

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What Does it Take to Be an Utilities Meter Reader?

Occupation Description Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.

Daily Life Of an Utilities Meter Reader

  • Collect past-due bills.
  • Report lost or broken keys.
  • Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
  • 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.
  • Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
  • Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.

Utilities Meter Reader Skills

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.

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.

Other Utilities Meter Reader Job Titles

  • Water Inspector
  • Field Service Engineer
  • Steam Meter Reader
  • Meter Reading Clerk
  • Meter Reader

Is There Going to be 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. The BLS estimates 2,300 yearly job openings in this field.

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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 average yearly salary of an Utilities Meter Reader ranges between $24,600 and $71,040.

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Utilities Meter Readers who work in Delaware, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Utilities Meter Readers in different U.S. states.

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

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 kind of Utilities Meter Reader requirements are there?

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

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Utilities Meter Readers Sector

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The table below shows the approximate number of Utilities Meter Readers employed by various industries.

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Similar Careers

Those who work as an Utilities Meter Reader sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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