Meter Readers, Utilities
SOC code 43-5041 · O*NET-SOC 43-5041.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Meter Readers, Utilities pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$48,150
a year
Hourly
$23.15
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$55,380
$26.63 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,410 – $65,750
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,720 – $85,930
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
19,430
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,720
- $16.69/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,410
- $18.95/hr
- Median percentile
- $48,150
- $23.15/hr
- 75th percentile
- $65,750
- $31.61/hr
- 90th percentile
- $85,930
- $41.31/hr
What do meter readers, utilities do?
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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 qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a meter readers, utilities earn?
The national median is $48,150 a year. The full range runs from $34,720 at the 10th percentile to $85,930 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a meter readers, utilities without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Active Listening2.9/5
- Monitoring2.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.8/5
- Engineering and Technology2.6/5
- Mechanical2.6/5
- Physics2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Time Management, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.