Meter Readers, Utilities
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
- O*NET-SOC code
43-5041.00 - Preparation Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$48,150
Employment, U.S.19,430
Median hourly wage$23.15
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $34,720 | $39,410 | $48,150 | $65,750 | $85,930 |
By state (45)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 470 | $45,710 | 1.77 |
| Alaska | 40 | $62,690 | 0.91 |
| Arizona | 360 | $44,760 | 0.90 |
| Arkansas | 230 | $37,340 | 1.41 |
| California | 810 | $79,040 | 0.35 |
| Colorado | 150 | $66,550 | 0.43 |
| Connecticut | 140 | $64,180 | 0.64 |
| Delaware | 30 | $58,240 | 0.56 |
| Florida | $40,610 | ||
| Georgia | 670 | $43,140 | 1.10 |
| Hawaii | 50 | $51,910 | 0.62 |
| Idaho | 70 | Not available | 0.64 |
| Illinois | 570 | $60,690 | 0.75 |
| Indiana | 330 | $49,200 | 0.83 |
| Iowa | 120 | $60,940 | 0.63 |
| Kansas | 80 | $49,870 | 0.43 |
| Kentucky | 690 | $44,450 | 2.76 |
| Louisiana | 500 | $37,570 | 2.07 |
| Maryland | 320 | Not available | 0.94 |
| Massachusetts | 300 | $54,150 | 0.66 |
| Michigan | 270 | $60,870 | 0.50 |
| Minnesota | 120 | $73,930 | 0.33 |
| Mississippi | 600 | $37,120 | 4.10 |
| Missouri | 330 | $49,150 | 0.90 |
| Nebraska | 90 | Not available | 0.72 |
| Nevada | 160 | $76,120 | 0.84 |
| New Hampshire | 40 | Not available | 0.48 |
| New Jersey | 870 | $63,030 | 1.62 |
| New Mexico | 350 | $48,530 | 3.18 |
| New York | 930 | $56,960 | 0.76 |
| North Carolina | 640 | $41,830 | 1.04 |
| Ohio | 1,070 | $47,780 | 1.55 |
| Oklahoma | 390 | $39,480 | 1.84 |
| Oregon | 120 | $63,660 | 0.50 |
| Pennsylvania | 860 | $78,450 | 1.13 |
| Rhode Island | 40 | $56,830 | 0.62 |
| South Carolina | 410 | $47,850 | 1.43 |
| Tennessee | 860 | $45,210 | 2.09 |
| Texas | 1,360 | $43,030 | 0.77 |
| Utah | 280 | Not available | 1.29 |
| Virginia | 630 | $44,020 | 1.22 |
| Washington | 390 | $65,900 | 0.88 |
| West Virginia | 280 | $59,430 | 3.17 |
| Wisconsin | 410 | Not available | 1.12 |
| Wyoming | 50 | $61,470 | 1.41 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | 1-2 | 0.944 |
| 2 | Aircraft Service Attendants | 1-2 | 0.941 |
| 3 | Forest and Conservation Technicians | 3 | 0.940 |
| 4 | Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | 3 | 0.938 |
| 5 | Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | 1-2 | 0.937 |
| 6 | Bridge and Lock Tenders | 1-2 | 0.937 |
| 7 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 1-2 | 0.935 |
| 8 | Light Truck Drivers | 1-2 | 0.934 |
| 9 | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | 3 | 0.934 |
| 10 | Pest Control Workers | 1-2 | 0.934 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Meter Readers, Utilities, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials Removal Workers | Coordination | 1.00 | 0.944 |
| Bridge and Lock Tenders | Coordination | 0.88 | 0.937 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | Coordination | 1.13 | 0.933 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | Social Perceptiveness | 0.88 | 0.921 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | Coordination | 0.88 | 0.919 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Meter Readers, Utilities, excluding software Meter Readers, Utilities already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Work scheduling software | 5 of 20 | 9.2x |
| Inventory management systems | 4 of 20 | 6.4x |
| Database software | 6 of 20 | 1.7x |
| ESRI ArcGIS software | 3 of 20 | 1.5x |
| SAP software | 7 of 20 | 1.1x |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | 3 of 20 | 0.8x |
| Microsoft Project | 3 of 20 | 0.7x |
| Email software | 4 of 20 | 0.7x |
| Web browser software | 4 of 20 | 0.4x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 2.25 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.50 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.25 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 2.62 | 2.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 2.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 2.50 | 2.12 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 2.38 | 2.62 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 2.38 | 1.88 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 1.62 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.62 |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.12 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.50 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.12 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.59 | 3.23 |
| Public Safety and Security | 3.51 | 3.47 |
| Mathematics | 3.02 | 2.94 |
| Administration and Management | 2.76 | 2.76 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.65 | 2.40 |
| Mechanical | 2.63 | 2.41 |
| Physics | 2.61 | 1.84 |
| Law and Government | 2.54 | 1.85 |
| English Language | 2.52 | 2.40 |
| Chemistry | 2.40 | 2.42 |
| Transportation | 2.36 | 1.55 |
| Geography | 2.35 | 1.64 |
| Telecommunications | 2.35 | 1.31 |
| Administrative | 2.30 | 2.24 |
| Building and Construction | 2.29 | 2.55 |
| Education and Training | 2.25 | 1.92 |
| Production and Processing | 2.21 | 1.65 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.10 | 1.22 |
| Communications and Media | 1.99 | 1.89 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 1.99 | 1.51 |
| Psychology | 1.69 | not rated |
| Design | 1.51 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.42 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.37 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.35 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 1.34 | 0.34 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.31 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.19 | not rated |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.13 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.03 | not rated |
| Fine Arts | 1.00 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.00 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Near Vision | 4.00 | 3.38 |
| Far Vision | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Oral Expression | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Perceptual Speed | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.00 | 2.75 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Control Precision | 2.88 | 2.75 |
| Manual Dexterity | 2.88 | 2.38 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 2.88 | 2.25 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Selective Attention | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Finger Dexterity | 2.75 | 2.25 |
| Category Flexibility | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Stamina | 2.62 | 2.25 |
| Written Expression | 2.62 | 2.12 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Response Orientation | 2.38 | 2.62 |
| Depth Perception | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Spatial Orientation | 2.38 | 2.00 |
| Gross Body Coordination | 2.38 | 1.75 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Reaction Time | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Static Strength | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Time Sharing | 2.25 | 2.12 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Number Facility | 2.25 | 2.00 |
| Rate Control | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Visualization | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Originality | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Peripheral Vision | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Glare Sensitivity | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Memorization | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Auditory Attention | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 2.00 | 1.62 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.88 | 1.62 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.88 | 1.38 |
| Sound Localization | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.75 | 0.75 |
| Night Vision | 1.62 | 1.12 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.12 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Excel hot
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Windows hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Billing software
- Geographic information system GIS systems
- Graphing software
- Mapping software
- Meter reading software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | 180 | 3.43 | $44,700 |
| Jackson, MS | 100 | 2.93 | $38,980 |
| Toledo, OH | 100 | 2.81 | $44,790 |
| Columbus, OH | 390 | 2.80 | $47,430 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 120 | 2.12 | $33,800 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 250 | 1.83 | $78,290 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 100 | 1.80 | $48,480 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 150 | 1.71 | $30,020 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 310 | 1.71 | $40,100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 160 | 1.65 | $35,760 |