Meter Readers, Utilities
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Also called: Field Technician · Fieldman · Meter Reader · Meter Reader Inspector · Meter Reading Clerk · Meter Technician
Median pay (national)
$49,180
$33,980–$86,480 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
19,620
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-12%
~1,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for meter readers, utilities shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $86,480 versus $33,980 at the bottom 10% — 2.5x. The median of $49,180 leaves roughly 76% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -12% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 47 states with released data, Wisconsin pays the most for this role (median $87,610, +78% vs the national median), while Arkansas sits lowest at $34,830 — a 152% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Office software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
- Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
- Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
- Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.
- 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.
- Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
- Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
- Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
- Billing software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Graphing software
- Mapping software
- Meter reading software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Administrative