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.
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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.

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.

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?

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

Utilities Meter Readers Sector

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

Similar 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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