anyone ever been a meter reader and can tell me what the job is like and how much they pay?

Question

what do you do during the day just walk around taking numbers reading meters from the gas station is it hard? does the day go buy fast or is it real boring?also i heard that it is electronic now like you scan something and it reads it for you is that true did you have to crawl under anyones deck or go in anyones basement? do you have to take a test to get the job thanks for your help

Answer 1

It all depends on what you are reading. Is it gas, electric , water ? I run the meter reading operations for the state of Kentucky as well as Ohio for the gas company ( and I still enjoy getting out and reading) and most of us have the new G5 hand helds by Itron although most of my guys/gals in the southern part of Kentucky still use the older Husky Itrons . The older hand helds can not read remote meters . The G5's can read the remote meters , however , you still have to get within range of the yard to read them and in some cases , you might even have to get into their yard as the signal might be bounced .

The rate in which your day goes by greatly depends on the meter reader. I have some people that have routes that they can have done by 11 am and other days it might take them until around 4 pm . Mainly depends on how fast you want to work and of course the weather. If it's colder outside some might want to get a nice hot breakfast before they start.
As for you asking about "crawling under anyones deck or go in anyones basement" the answer is yes. A lot of meters are still inside and one must obtain access in order to get a read . This is part of the job my friend and there is no way around this. That said, it also depends on where you live and such because of a lot of the utility companies in bigger states and something like 95% of outside meters, thus making the meter reader's job a whole lot easier.

Now to answer your question regarding taking a test to get a job, well, I am sure the answer is yes . Most will always take some sort of basic meter reading test as well as map reading test. This will give the employer some sort of idea as to where they can start with you . Though, you will always have to go through the companies training program . I have hired hundreds of people that did not have any experience. Meter reading is more of a " hands on " type job.
Our average reader probably makes around $18.25 and hour , however, we do have some that make in the mid twenties and even higher , it just depends on how long one stays with the company and if they really enjoy this type of job.

In closing, you should check with your local utilties to see if anyone is hiring or not . Also, make sure to list with your local employement agency that you are interested in doing this type of work. I enjoyed reading meters and still do . It has provided me with a nice life and helped to keep me in good shape. I hope this helps you and gives you a bit more insight on the subject. If you have anymore questions , please feel free to email me . Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Meter Reader Test

Answer 3

I've worked in the utility industry twice and was the first female electric meter reader in three counties... tells you how long ago this was. I did it for 5 years and loved the freedom, but that was in the days when you actually walked up to meters and hand wrote information in a route book.

Technology has made it possible now for many companies to hand you a machine, you just point and shoot at the meter and move on. Whether it is all walking or driving, guess that's up to the company. I recently worked for another utility company and their meter readers were getting 10-14 an hour. I also learned that those jobs are sometime outsourced now days.

Would I go back and do it again if I were that age again, yes.
~good luck

Answer 4

You do have to take a competency test. They also want to know about your driving record as you will probably be driving one of their vehicles. You walk the majority of the time outdoors, whether it be 100 degree heat or -17 below zero. If the meter is in someones crawl space or basement, you will have to go in there and read their meter. Regarding the pay depends on the company. One company here in GA, they pay you a flat rate, then it is based on your attendance, then your accuracy rate.
If this sounds good to ya, GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

the place I stay, they use a scanner to study our meters. The risk that an electonic test would desire to be wrong isn't likely, yet nevertheless potential. in the adventure that your on line business is interior the stoneage and whether comments your utilization with the aid of a character coming up on your meter and reading / writing, then human blunders is larger probable. some companies simplest actual look at meters each 6 months, on the comparable time ever distinctive reading is "predicted" from formerly quarterly usages. one extra assessment to do, study your very final costs in simple terms authentic meter reading and evaluate it on your commencing meter reading at present bill to be certain that was now not replaced with the aid of way of pc blunders. If that quantity is shrink, then that stands out as the situation the blunders lies. i understand you're saying your husband checked the entire undertaking, whether you likely have water traces underground anyplace, or below flooring that cant be obtrusive with the attention, then there would desire to be the potential for a rupture there and you does not know it different than you spotted water strolling on your basement or backyard. Dont be afraid to call your corporation organization and ask them to study your account for the final 6 months. the blunders in keeping with possibility with the advice get right of entry to persons. Dyslexia can play havoc with females and men human beings working with numbers and nightmares for house proprietors. superb achievement.

Answer 6

i work for the electric company in FL, we use the Itron FS3 handhelds and are soon moving to the new G3's or G5's or soemthing like that we are the last little group in this huge company going to that technology, a long time ago it was done by pen and paper or punch cards.

the pay we start at 12.50/hr and after 6mo get a reveiw and every 12 months we get a reveiw also, the pay maxes out at 16.50ish an hour. By then you usually have moved on to another part of the company, the company i work for makes us use our own cars so they pay our car insurance ( i love it) and also per milage like 44.5 cents a mile and it does add up.

i love my job i walk about 10-14 miles a day.