Occupation

Meter Readers, Utilities

Human Advantage 66%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.4 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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

Also Known As: Customer Field Representative, Electric Meter Reader, Facilities Technician (Facilities Tech), Field Service Engineer, Field Technician, Fieldman, Gas Meter Reader, Meter Reader +13 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
  2. 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.
  3. Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
  4. Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
  5. Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
  6. Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
  7. Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
  8. Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.
  9. Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
  10. Update client address and meter location information.
  11. Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Report lost or broken keys.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Dig dirt away from meters to take readings.
  • Install new or replace broken meters.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
71%
Some College Courses
17%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
9%
Bachelor's Degree
2%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (14)

  • Billing software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Graphing software
  • Mapping software
  • Meter reading software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (27)

  • Automatic meter reading systems
  • Copy machines
  • Dataloggers
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital multimeters
  • Digital still cameras
  • Electricity consumption meters
  • Garden shovels
  • Gas consumption meters
  • Gas powered blowers
  • Gas powered pumps
  • Global positioning system GPS devices
  • Groove joint pliers
  • High-power flashlights
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Mobile radios
  • Multi-gas testers
  • Multipurpose screwdrivers
  • Nut wrenches
  • Passenger vehicles
  • Portable calculators
  • Radio frequency RF meters
  • Smart phones
  • Steam consumption meters
  • Tablet computers
  • Utility trucks
  • Water consumption meters

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Meter Readers, Utilities You are here
Zone 5
Archivists 76% match

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