How to become an Utilities Meter Reader

Official title: Meter Readers, Utilities

Also called: Field Technician (Field Tech), Meter Reader, Meter Reading Clerk, Meter Service Technician (Meter Service Tech), Meter Service Worker, Meter Technician (Meter Tech), Utility Service Worker, Water Inspector, Water Meter Reader, Water Use Inspector

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

Main tasks

• 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.
• Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
• Install new or replace broken meters.
• Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
• Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.
• Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.

How to become one

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $48,150 a year The middle half earn $39,410 to $65,750.
• About 19,700 people work in this job now, and about 17,600 are projected by 2035. (-10.5%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

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Questions people ask

How much does an Utilities Meter Reader earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $48,150 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $39,410 to $65,750.

Is an Utilities Meter Reader a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 10% by 2035, from about 19,700 to about 17,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Utilities Meter Reader?

Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Utilities Meter Reader?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.