Explore by Career/Office and Administrative Support
Meter Readers, Utilities
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
- Median pay
- $49,180
- per year
- 10-year outlook
- -12%
- Declining
- Typical entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
Key skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
What they do
- Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
- 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.
- Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
- Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
- Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
- 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.
- Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
- Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
- Update client address and meter location information.
Majors that lead here
No mapped majors yet.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections) and O*NET, used under CC BY 4.0.