What Do Utilities Meter Readers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Utilities Meter Readers read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam. They also read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.

We asked Utilities Meter Readers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 48% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Utilities Meter Readers 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. They report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.

A typical day for an Utilities Meter Reader will also include:

• Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.
• Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
• Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
• Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
• Answer customers’ questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.

We asked some Utilities Meter Readers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	24% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	51% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	17% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	46% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Utilities Meter Readers also collect past-due bills. They may also connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Utilities Meter Readers Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible. They might also Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.

In addition, they Update client address and meter location information.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Answer customers’ questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.

To some Utilities Meter Readers, it is also their responsibility to Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Utilities Meter Reader, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

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