Meter Readers, Utilities

43-5041.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.

Also known as: Customer Field Representative, Damage Prevention Specialist, Electric Meter Reader, Facilities Technician (Facilities Tech), Field Service Engineer, Field Technician, Fieldman, Gas Meter Reader, ...

Annual Salary

$49,180

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$39,620 25th – 75th percentile $68,030
10th percentile $33,980
90th percentile $86,480
U.S. Employment: 19,620

Job Outlook

-12%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 1,300 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Update client address and meter location information.
  • Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
  • Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 3.0
Active Listening 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Service Orientation 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Time Management 3.0
Operation and Control 2.9
Operations Monitoring 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 3.7
Public Safety and Security 3.5
English Language 3.4
Mathematics 3.1
Mechanical 2.9
Computers and Electronics 2.9
Administration and Management 2.6
Administrative 2.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
71.1%
Some College
17.3%
Associate's
8.7%
Bachelor's
2.4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Billing software Geographic information system GIS systems Graphing software Mapping software Meter reading software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Word processing software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.3
Dependability
2.1
Attention to Detail
1.7
Integrity
1.2
Cautiousness
0.9
Self-Control
0.8
Perseverance
0.8
Stress Tolerance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Near Vision 3.5
Oral Comprehension 3.3
Oral Expression 3.3
Perceptual Speed 3.1
Trunk Strength 3.1
Information Ordering 3.1
Written Comprehension 3.0
Speech Clarity 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Documenting/Recording Information 4.3
Getting Information 4.1
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment 4.0
Performing General Physical Activities 3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.9
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 3.8
Processing Information 3.7
Communicating with People Outside the Organization 3.7

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
5.0
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
4.6
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
4.6
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
4.4
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.3
Exposed to Contaminants
4.2
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
4.1
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
4.1
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
4.0
Time Pressure
4.0
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
3.9
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
3.9

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.