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What Does it Take to Be an Utilities Meter Reader?

Utilities Meter Reader Definition Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.

Life As an Utilities Meter Reader

  • Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
  • Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
  • Report lost or broken keys.
  • Collect past-due bills.
  • Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.
  • Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.

What an Utilities Meter Reader Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Utilities Meter Readers say are important on the job.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

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

  • Gas Meter Reader
  • Meterman
  • Field Service Engineer
  • Meter Record Clerk
  • Water Inspector

Job Opportunities for Utilities Meter Readers

In the United States, there were 34,800 jobs for Utilities Meter Reader in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Utilities Meter Reader. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,300 job openings in this field each year.

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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 typical yearly salary for Utilities Meter Readers is somewhere 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.

How much do Utilities Meter Readers make in each U.S. state?

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?

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

Becoming an Utilities Meter Reader

What kind of Utilities Meter Reader requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Utilities Meter Readers?

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

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Career changers with experience as an Utilities Meter Reader sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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