Meter Readers, Utilities
Machines can already do 30% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 70%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Meter Readers, Utilities in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 30% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2032, and 70% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 19,430 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $48,150 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 74% for contact with people.
- Also called: Field Technician (Field Tech), Meter Reader, Meter Reading Clerk, Meter Service Technician (Meter Service Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers | 31% | 30% to 75% | |
| Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials | 28% | 30% to 75% | |
| Install new or replace broken meters | 7% | 15% to 50% | |
| Dig dirt away from meters to take readings | 6% | 10% to 40% | |
| 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 | 4% | 65% to 92% | |
| Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals | 4% | 30% to 75% | |
| Collect past-due bills | 4% | 58% to 88% | |
| Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations | 3% | 30% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills meter readers, utilities use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,070
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,290
- Postal Service Mail Carriers63% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,550
- Transportation Inspectors66% of tasks by 2035 · US median $92,100
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Meter Readers, Utilities?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2032. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of meter readers, utilities?
Machines can do 30% of the tasks of meter readers, utilities today and 70% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-5041.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Meter Readers, Utilities: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/meter-readers-utilities/