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.
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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.

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.

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?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Utilities Meter Readers?

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

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:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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