Meter Readers, Utilities

Meter Readers, Utilities score 44 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #367 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 13 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 4 on its own and 3 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 2 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

44/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #367of 923 jobs
US workers: 19,430BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $48,150a year
In real AI use: 2 of 13tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 4 (31%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 3 (23%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 6 (46%)

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.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Update client address and meter location information.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Read electric, gas, water, or steam consumption meters and enter data in route books or hand-held computers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Verify readings in cases where consumption appears to be abnormal, and record possible reasons for fluctuations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collect past-due bills.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Connect and disconnect utility services at specific locations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Perform preventative maintenance or minor repairs on meters.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Report lost or broken keys.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about meter readers, utilities and AI

Will AI replace meter readers, utilities?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Meter Readers, Utilities score 44 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #367 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 7 of the job's 13 tasks, 4 of them on its own, while 6 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which meter readers, utilities tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "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"; "Leave messages to arrange different times to read meters in cases in which meters are not accessible"; "Answer customers' questions about services and charges, or direct them to customer service centers".

Which meter readers, utilities tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Walk or drive vehicles along established routes to take readings of meter dials"; "Inspect meters for unauthorized connections, defects, and damage, such as broken seals"; "Report to service departments any problems, such as meter irregularities, damaged equipment, or impediments to meter access, including dogs".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 2 of the 13 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as meter readers, utilities, and what do they earn?

About 19,430 people in the US, with median pay of $48,150 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.