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
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateCost to qualify
$500–$3,150
Time to qualify
1 yr
Renewal
—
- 1
High school diploma or GED
CourseExpected 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
On-the-job training
ExperienceEmployer-provided and typically paid — days to a few months for most no-degree roles.
Cost varies · 3 months source
- 3
Industry certification (optional for many roles)
CertificationRole-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
Junior Meter Readers, Utilities
Entry / Junior
$34,720
~2 yrs to advance
Meter Readers, Utilities
Established
$48,150
~3 yrs to advance
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
Top colleges for Business & Finance
Explore all- University of Pennsylvania6% admit · $112,000 grad pay
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
- New York University12% admit · $84,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.