Life As an Utilities Meter Reader
Career Description Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Life As an Utilities Meter Reader: What Do They Do?
- Collect past-due bills.
- 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.
- Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
- 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.
- Answer customers’ questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
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Utilities Meter Reader Skills
Utilities Meter Readers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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:
- Field Technician
- Meter Reader Inspector
- Utility Meter Technician
- Fieldman
- Meter Technician
Job Outlook 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. There will be an estimated 2,300 positions for Utilities Meter Reader per year.
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.
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 |
What Tools & Technology do Utilities Meter Readers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Utilities Meter Readers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Billing software
- Mapping software
Becoming an Utilities Meter Reader
Are there Utilities Meter Readers education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become an Utilities Meter Reader?
Who Employs Utilities Meter Readers?
Utilities Meter Readers work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Career changers with experience as an Utilities Meter Reader sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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