Meter Readers build operations monitoring, operation and control and time management skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (81%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | 81% | $49,880 | +4% | None |
| 2 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | 75% | $60,020 | +25% | None |
| 3 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 74% | $58,640 | +22% | None |
| 4 | Gas Plant Operators | 73% | $87,820 | +82% | None |
| 5 | Locomotive Engineers | 73% | $81,410 | +69% | None |
| 6 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | 73% | $106,730 | +122% | Certificate or associate |
| 7 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | 73% | $74,340 | +54% | Certificate or associate |
| 8 | Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | 73% | $61,770 | +28% | None |
| 9 | Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment | 71% | $84,890 | +76% | Certificate or associate |
| 10 | Light Truck Drivers | 71% | $44,860 | −7% | None |
Compared with Meter Readers, Utilities, median $48,150. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as meter readers (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
81% skill match · $49,880 · +4% pay
Equipment Selection · Quality Control Analysis · Repairing
75% skill match · $60,020 · +25% pay
Equipment Selection · Quality Control Analysis · Repairing
74% skill match · $58,640 · +22% pay
Repairing · Operation and Control · Operations Monitoring
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (81% skill match, median $49,880), Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (75% skill match, median $60,020) and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (74% skill match, median $58,640), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 21 pay more than meter readers at the median. The biggest increases: Power Distributors and Dispatchers (+122%, $106,730), Power Plant Operators (+112%, $102,040) and Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (+101%, $96,710).
22 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.