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Business & Finance

Meter Readers, Utilities

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

Median salary (BLS)

$48,150

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$35k – $86k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Meter Readers, Utilities

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$500–$3,150

Time to qualify

1 yr

Renewal

  1. 1

    High school diploma or GED

    Course

    Expected by most employers; if you need the GED, test fees run $0–$150 depending on the state.

    $0–$150 · 3 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    On-the-job training

    Experience

    Employer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.

    Cost varies · 3 months source

  3. 3

    Industry certification (optional for many roles)

    Certification

    Role-dependent — e.g. CPA, Series 7/65, PMP, SHRM. Not always required, but often expected for advancement.

    $500–$3,000 · 6 months source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Meter Readers, Utilities" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Meter Readers, Utilities

    Entry / Junior

    $34,720

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Meter Readers, Utilities

    Established

    $48,150

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Meter Readers, Utilities

    Senior

    $67,040

Key skills

A typical 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.
  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.