Meter Technician (Utility Company)
Meter Technician (Utility Company)
Career Overview
Electric meter technicians install, test, maintain, and replace electric meters and related equipment that measure electricity use. They use electrical testing equipment, digital tools, and smart-meter technology to make sure utility systems operate accurately and safely. The work combines electrical skills, technology, troubleshooting, and field service.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically the starting point, followed by technical training, an apprenticeship, or employer-based training, depending on the employer and location. Courses in mathematics, electronics, electrical technology, and computer science can provide a strong foundation. Some technicians also learn to work with advanced metering infrastructure, digital communications, sensors, and utility monitoring systems.
Work Environment
Electric meter technicians work for electric utilities and related service organizations, both outdoors in the field and indoors when testing or servicing equipment. They may work around electrical equipment, drive between locations, and use mobile technology to record and transmit information. Safety procedures, protective equipment, and careful attention to electrical hazards are essential.
Future Outlook
The traditional job of manually reading meters is changing as utilities move to smart meters and automated data collection. At the same time, modern utility systems are creating work involving digital meters, sensors, communications, data, and automated grid technology. Technicians who can combine hands-on electrical skills with digital technology, troubleshooting, and data awareness will be better positioned as the industry evolves.
Recommended High School Courses
- Math
- Physics
- Electronics
- Data Science
- Technology
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
- Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Enter information into databases or software programs.
- Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
- Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
- Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
- Discuss account status or activity with customers or patrons.
- Refer customers to appropriate personnel.
- Maintain financial or account records.
- Perform basic equipment maintenance.
- Collect deposits, payments or fees.
References
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
PayScale, Inc., https://www.payscale.com/.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.