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Meter Readers, Utilities Salary in IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Meter Readers, Utilities in IA have a median annual salary of $60,940, with 120 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $42,530 at the 10th percentile to $73,560 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$60,940

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$29.30

Employment

120

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$42,530
10th
$50,380
25th
$60,940
Median
$71,090
75th
$73,560
90th

Local compared with national

IA

$60,940

Median annual · 2025

United States

$48,150

Median annual · 2025

The IA median is 26.6% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $12,790).

Top skills

  1. 1.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  3. 3.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.0
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  5. 5.Active ListeningImportance 2.9
  6. 6.Operation and ControlImportance 2.9
  7. 7.Time ManagementImportance 2.9
  8. 8.Service OrientationImportance 2.8
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 2.6
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.6
  11. 11.Active LearningImportance 2.5
  12. 12.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.5

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Billing software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Graphing software
  • Mapping software
  • Meter reading software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.
  • Install new or replace broken meters.
  • Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.
  • Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.
  • Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.
  • 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.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Meter Readers, Utilities salary in other locations

Other occupations in IA