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Meter Readers, Utilities

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $48,150 Median per year · $23.15/hr Most earn $34,720–$85,930

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Collect past-due bills.
  • Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
  • 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.
  • Report lost or broken keys.
  • Dig dirt away from meters to take readings.
  • Dig dirt away from meters to take readings.

Job outlook

United States
11% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 1,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals48.8%
  • Other support services11.7%
  • Water, sewage and other systems8.2%
  • Natural gas distribution7.9%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

Meter Reader is an entry-level job. You can usually start with a high school diploma and no prior work experience, so you can get here fairly quickly.

  1. High school diploma

    About 4 years

    Finish high school with good math and reading skills, since you will record readings and check numbers carefully every day.

  2. Meter Reader

    Less than 1 year to learn the job

    Employers usually train you on the job, including how to find meters, read them accurately, and use handheld devices to record data. This is where you start in the career itself.

Where it can lead

  1. Control and Valve Installers and Repairers

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move from reading meters to installing and repairing the controls and valves that work with utility systems, which usually takes a certificate or apprenticeship and hands-on training.

  2. Power Distributors and Dispatchers

    2-4 years of experience first

    You move into a role that monitors and directs the flow of electricity across the grid, which requires more experience and specialized training on utility systems.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math classesStrong math skills help you read dials, check numbers, and understand how utilities measure usage.
  • Take a shop, electronics, or technology classHands-on experience with tools and simple devices shows you can work with equipment like meters and handheld readers.
  • Get a starter job that involves walking routes or careful record-keepingJobs like delivery, grocery stocking, or store inventory build reliability and comfort working on your own schedule.
  • Volunteer for a community or utility-related service projectHelping with local clean-up, city projects, or community events shows you can follow instructions and work safely outdoors.
  • Learn basic safety rulesKnowing how to work safely around outdoor hazards like dogs, uneven ground, and traffic prepares you for field work.

In college

  • Take math and basic technology coursesCourses in math, statistics, or computer skills help you use data devices and check readings accurately.
  • Earn a driver's license and keep a clean driving recordMany meter reading jobs require driving between routes, so a clean record makes you a stronger candidate.
  • Work a campus or part-time job that involves routine data entry or field workExperience with reliable, detail-focused tasks shows employers you can handle independent work.
  • Join a student club focused on engineering, the environment, or energyClubs help you learn how utilities work and meet people who may point you to entry-level openings.
  • Ask about utility apprenticeships or certificate programs at a local collegeIf you want to move up later, a certificate or apprenticeship in electrical or utility work builds on the meter reading experience.

Tips for getting started

  • Build comfort with basic math and neat record-keeping, because accurate readings matter most in this job.
  • Ask employers whether they offer on-the-job training or a path to more technical utility work, since many meter reading jobs lead to other utility roles.
  • Get a valid driver's license and a clean record if you can, because many meter reading jobs involve driving between locations and walking routes.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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