Meter readers, utilities
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
Meter readers, utilities read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam. The role reports a median annual salary of $49,180 in the US and is projected to decline by 12% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.59 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Service Orientation.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £29,097 a year for Debt, rent and other cash collectors (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £26,163 to £33,638 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 7122). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Elementary occupations” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Meter readers, utilities, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 9. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
What you'd actually 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.
- Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
- Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
- Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Meter readers, utilities do?
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
How much does Meter readers, utilities earn?
The median annual salary for Meter readers, utilities in the US is $49,180.
What is the job outlook for Meter readers, utilities?
The role is projected to decline by 12% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 20,100 workers.
How do I become meter readers, utilities?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Meter readers, utilities need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Service Orientation, Time Management. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Meter readers, utilities?
Our AI-durability model gives Meter readers, utilities a score of 0.59 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Meter readers, utilities has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.