Meter Readers, Utilities

Course Advisor; United States; On-site; USD 24,600 - 71,040; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor is seeking a Utilities Meter Reader to perform various duties including reading meters for electricity, gas, water, and steam. The role involves checking for irregularities, connecting and disconnecting utility services, and ensuring accurate data entry. Ideal candidates should have strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and experience with data entry software. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $24,600 to $71,040 per year based on experience and location.

Qualifications

• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
• Giving full attention and understanding points being made.
• Looking for ways to help people.
• Conveying information effectively to others.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Responsibilities

• Report meter irregularities and damaged equipment.
• Connect and disconnect utility services.
• Verify readings for abnormalities and record reasons.
• Collect past-due bills.
• Upload collected information into office computers or return books.

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Active Listening

Service Orientation

Speaking

Critical Thinking

Time Management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Data entry software

Billing software

Mapping software

Job description

Utilities Meter Reader

What You Need to Know About Utilities Meter Reader

Example of Utilities Meter Reader Job

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

Life As an Utilities Meter Reader

• Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
• Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
• Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
• Collect past-due bills.
• Upload all information collected on hand‑held computers during meter rounds into office computers, or return route books or hand‑held computers to business offices so that data can be compiled.
• Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.

Utilities Meter Reader Required Skills

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Types of Utilities Meter Reader

• Customer Field Representative
• Water Inspector
• Electric Meter Reader
• Field Technician
• Meter Reader

Job Opportunities

There were about 34,800 jobs for Utilities Meter Reader in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Utilities Meter Reader. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Utilities Meter Reader are Alaska, Nevada, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Colorado, New Hampshire, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary Information

The salary for Utilities Meter Readers ranges between about $24,600 and $71,040 a year.

Utilities Meter Readers who work in Delaware, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire, make the highest salaries.

Median Annual Salaries by State

• Alabama – $38,920
• Alaska – $59,040
• Arizona – $51,690
• Arkansas – $29,180
• California – $61,010
• Colorado – $60,130
• Connecticut – $59,240
• Delaware – $57,780
• Florida – $38,090
• Georgia – $37,480
• Hawaii – $49,500
• Idaho – $51,560
• Illinois – $53,110
• Indiana – $41,730
• Iowa – $46,680
• Kansas – $43,820
• Kentucky – $36,240
• Louisiana – $27,740
• Maine – $39,210
• Maryland – $44,510
• Massachusetts – $61,540
• Michigan – $43,320
• Minnesota – $54,190
• Mississippi – $30,260
• Missouri – $39,720
• Montana – $55,740
• Nebraska – $46,390
• Nevada – $58,920
• New Hampshire – $57,370
• New Mexico – $37,170
• New York – $59,670
• North Carolina – $41,160
• North Dakota – $49,560
• Ohio – $45,070
• Oklahoma – $36,380
• Oregon – $48,920
• Pennsylvania – $52,090
• South Carolina – $37,280
• Tennessee – $42,550
• Texas – $33,610
• Utah – $49,050
• Vermont – $55,670
• Virginia – $39,950
• Washington – $48,810
• West Virginia – $40,040
• Wisconsin – $56,730
• Wyoming – $49,770

Tools & Technology

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Utilities Meter Readers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Windows
• Billing software
• Mapping software