Occupation salary profile

Meter Readers, Utilities

SOC 43-5041 BLS OEWS May 2025

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

National median · BLS
$48,150
▼ -2.09% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$55,380
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
19,430
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Meter Readers, Utilities

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$34,720
25th$39,410
Median (50th)$48,150
75th$65,750
90th — top pay$85,930

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Meter Readers, Utilities

BLS projects employment of meter readers, utilities to decline 10.5% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 1,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
19,700 → 17,600
-2,100 jobs
Projected change
-10.5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Meter Readers, Utilities

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking3.0
  • Operations Monitoring3.0
  • Speaking3.0
  • Active Listening2.9
  • Operation and Control2.9
  • Reading Comprehension2.9
  • Time Management2.9
  • Service Orientation2.8
  • Complex Problem Solving2.6
  • Monitoring2.6
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service3.9
  • Computers and Electronics3.6
  • Public Safety and Security3.5
  • Mathematics3.0
  • Administration and Management2.8
  • Engineering and Technology2.6
  • Mechanical2.6
  • Physics2.6
Software and technology used
Microsoft Office softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordBilling softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsGraphing softwareMapping softwareMeter reading softwareSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: 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.

About the job

What meter readers, utilities do

  • 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.
Also called
Meter ReaderMeter Technician (Meter Tech)Water Meter ReaderWater Use InspectorField Technician (Field Tech)Meter Reading ClerkMeter Service Technician (Meter Service Tech)Meter Service WorkerUtility Service WorkerWater Inspector
More job titles for this occupation (13)
Electric Meter ReaderGas Meter ReaderMeter InstallerMeter Record ClerkMeter Service Representative (Meter Service Rep)MetermanService WorkerSteam Meter ReaderUtilities Technician (Utilities Tech)Utility LocatorUtility Meter Technician (Utility Meter Tech)Utility Technician (Utility Tech)Utility Worker

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.