Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Meter Readers, Utilities
SOC: 43-5041 O*NET: 43-5041.00
Median Salary
$49,180
per year
Job Growth
📉 -12%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
What does a Meter Readers, Utilities do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,980
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,620
25th percentile
Median
$49,180
50th percentile
Experienced
$68,030
75th percentile
Top Earners
$86,480
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,980
25th
$39,620
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,180
Mean: $55,810
75th
$68,030
90th
$86,480
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,500 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,620 and $68,030
- •Salary spread is 57.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 19,620 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,100
Top Industries
Utilities35.4%
Utilities35.4%
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution18.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-12%
Annual Openings:1,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,100
Current
2034 (Projected)17,700
-12%
-2,400
Employment Change
-12%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Meter Readers, Utilities professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
Ohio
1,680 jobs$46,9302.39x
Texas
1,280 jobs$40,0500.73x
New Jersey
1,170 jobs$56,6702.16x
Pennsylvania
990 jobs$45,8401.30x
Florida
940 jobs$44,1200.75x
California
890 jobs$78,9700.39x
New York
870 jobs$69,0500.71x
Illinois
770 jobs$78,6201.00x
Tennessee
720 jobs$38,4501.73x
Louisiana
670 jobs$37,1902.77x
Kentucky
640 jobs$44,2202.53x
Georgia
600 jobs$44,1800.98x
Mississippi
590 jobs$38,2404.03x
Arizona
530 jobs$47,9801.29x
North Carolina
530 jobs$39,7200.85x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Speaking
88%
#3
Reading Comprehension
76%
#4
Service Orientation
64%
#5
Time Management
52%
#6
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
intermediate4.4
88%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.8
76%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.2
64%
Time Management
basic2.6
52%
Active Listening
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance76%
abilities
3.8/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance64%
skills
3.2/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance52%
skills
2.6/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Couriers and Messengers86%
5 shared skills
Tire Repairers and Changers83%
5 shared skills
Butchers and Meat Cutters75%
5 shared skills
Driver/Sales Workers75%
5 shared skills
Postal Service Clerks75%
5 shared skills
Cooks, Short Order71%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Time Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Meter Readers, Utilities
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
12
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Update client address and meter location information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •58% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Meter Readers, Utilities
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Meter Readers, Utilities professionals typically have a CRI Holland code and highly value working conditions
CConventional
RRealistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Meter Readers, Utilities
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.17
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.14
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.11
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.04
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.04
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Attention to Detail
4.0
Independence
3.9
Leadership
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Persistence
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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