Meter Readers, Utilities
SOC Code: 43-5041 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Meter Readers, Utilities. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,054 | $92,373 | $101,670 | $110,989 |
| Merced, CA | $56,493 | $72,717 | $88,941 | $105,165 |
| Modesto, CA | $74,693 | $84,386 | $94,058 | $103,750 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $82,243 | $89,336 | $96,450 | $103,542 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,758 | $91,208 | $96,637 | $102,086 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $68,328 | $79,477 | $90,605 | $101,754 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $72,883 | $82,243 | $91,624 | $100,984 |
| Salinas, CA | $55,994 | $70,928 | $85,842 | $100,776 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $67,267 | $78,000 | $88,754 | $99,486 |
| Vallejo, CA | $69,139 | $79,248 | $89,357 | $99,466 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Time Management | 3.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.9 | |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.5 |
| English Language | 3.4 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
| Mechanical | 2.9 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.9 |
| Administration and Management | 2.6 |
| Administrative | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 71.0% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 17.3% |
| Associate's degree | 8.7% |
| Bachelor's degree | 2.4% |
Typical Tasks
- Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.
- Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.
- 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.
- Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
- Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
- Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.
- Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
- Update client address and meter location information.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Billing software Geographic information system GIS systems Graphing software Mapping software Meter reading software Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Word processing software
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