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Meter Reading Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Meter Engineer

Folsom, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Ability to use Microsoft Office and utility software (e.g., meter reading systems, work order management tools). * Valid driver's license and ability to operate utility vehicles safely. * Ability to ...

Senior Meter Engineer

Folsom, CA ยท On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Ability to use Microsoft Office and utility software (e.g., meter reading systems, work order management tools). * Valid driver's license and ability to operate utility vehicles safely. * Ability to ...

The Meter Inspector will be able to understand design drawings, implement meter programs, equipment ... Program revenue and check meters to account for complex system losses and read revenue and real ...

$63.75 - $84/hr

Architect end-to-end solutions across the Meter to Cash lifecycle, including meter reading, billing, payments, collections, and customer service. * Utilize your knowledge of major platforms such ...

This includes creating standard meter programs to accurately read revenue and real-time data ... Verify the wiring and meter accuracy of commercial and utility-scale revenue metering installations ...

Showing results 21-40

Meter Reading information

See California salary details

$11

$19

$32

How much do meter reading jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for meter reading in California is $19.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.43 and $21.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a meter reader?

Meter readers are professionals responsible for visiting homes and businesses to record the usage data from utility meters, such as electricity, gas, or water meters. They ensure that the utility company receives accurate readings, which are used to calculate customer bills. Meter readers may also inspect meters for signs of damage or tampering and report any irregularities. Their work often involves traveling throughout assigned areas, working outdoors in various weather conditions, and interacting with customers as needed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a meter reader, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Meter Reader, you need basic math skills, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with handheld data collection devices, GPS systems, and utility company software is typically required. Strong time management, communication skills, and the ability to work independently set top performers apart. These abilities ensure accurate meter data collection, efficient route completion, and reliable utility billing for customers.

What are some common challenges faced by meter readers in the field, and how can they be addressed?

Meter Readers often work outdoors in varying weather conditions and may need to navigate difficult terrain or access meters in hard-to-reach locations. Interacting with customers or encountering animals on private property can also present challenges. To address these issues, it's important to follow safety protocols, use proper protective gear, and communicate clearly with property owners. Many companies provide ongoing training and support to help Meter Readers handle these situations effectively and safely.

What is the difference between Meter Reading vs Meter Technician?

AspectMeter ReadingMeter Technician
CredentialsNone typically requiredTechnical certifications or training often needed
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, customer sites, utility locationsFieldwork, maintenance facilities, utility sites
Job FocusRecording meter data, reading utility metersInstalling, repairing, maintaining meters
Employer & Industry UsageUtility companies, energy providersUtility companies, maintenance contractors

Meter Reading primarily involves recording utility meter data, often with minimal technical training. In contrast, Meter Technicians perform installation, repair, and maintenance of meters, requiring technical skills and certifications. Both roles are essential in utility industries but differ in responsibilities and skill requirements.

How do you become a meter reading?

To become a meter reader, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and must pass a background check. Training on reading meters and using related tools is usually provided on the job, and good communication skills are helpful for interacting with customers.

Is meter reading a good entry-level job?

Meter reading is often considered a suitable entry-level job because it typically requires minimal prior experience and offers on-the-job training. It involves reading utility meters, often outdoors, and may require physical activity and basic technical skills. The job can provide steady work and opportunities for advancement within utility companies.

What job categories do people searching Meter Reading jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Meter Reading jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Meter Reading jobs?

Cities in California with the most Meter Reading job openings:

Infographic showing various Meter Reading job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,539 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Senior Meter Engineer

GridSME

Folsom, CA โ€ข On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

GridSME's Vision

GridSME empowers the world's energy future by hiring the industry's best SMEs to solve the grid's most complex problems. Our company fosters an environment that enables industry experts to advance their careers and deliver valuable services to our clients. In doing so, we help our clients successfully adapt to the grid's evolution. We aim to be the platform where our people can discover the intersection between their passions, their strengths, and what brings value to our clients and our company. We encourage you to participate in and contribute to this core objective of the company.

Senior Meter Engineer

We measure GridSME's success by the caliber of people on our team, the quality of work they produce, and the growth of our fan base over time. Our company fosters initiative, open and candid communication, ownership, and teamwork – all necessary for our team to achieve its objectives. You will be expected to drive teamwork and collaboration with the entire GridSME team. This position reports to Casey James, Senior Meter Engineer, but has responsibilities to all GridSME team members, managers, Directors, Practice Leads, and CEOs. GridSME is a growing company, and you may be asked to assist with additional projects beyond your regular job responsibilities. The Senior Meter Engineer plays a critical role in supporting Grid Integration by designing metering systems and certifying poly-phase electric meters at industrial resources. This position ensures high-accuracy metering for billing and load monitoring through skilled calibration testing, troubleshooting, and compliance with CAISO and utility standards and regulations.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Metering Services
    1. Design and review complex schemes for metering industrial-scale sites for revenue metering.
    2. Develop methodologies and test plans for metering under a variety of regulatory conditions.
    3. Conduct field calibration testing using portable test equipment to verify the accuracy of meters in accordance with utility and regulatory standard ANSI C12.20.
    4. Inspect and troubleshoot metering installations, wiring errors, demand configurations, and meter communication systems.
    5. Maintain accurate records of meter calibrations, field tests, installations, and service orders in utility databases and reporting systems.
    6. Identify and report instances of meter tampering and assist in investigations.
    7. Review electrical SLD, 3LD, wiring schematics, and meter wiring configurations.
    8. Operate and maintain test boards, calibration standards, and other job-related tools.
    9. Adhere to all utility safety protocols and electrical codes during field operations and when working near energized equipment.
    10. Provide technical support to customers and field operations teams regarding metering accuracy and installation issues.
  • Overall Teamwork:
    1. Help us build and improve GridSME's culture by living out our Guiding Principles. 
    2. Demonstrate flexibility in learning and growing into any of our current and future services, depending on client and team needs.
    3. Work and collaborate with the entire GridSME team. We focus on each other's success.
  • Challenge the Status Quo:
    1. Continuously work on areas of the company in need of focus and improvement.
    2. Assist the Leadership Team with our strategic direction and always offer input and feedback.
DESIRED BUSINESS SKILLS
  • Strong leadership, people, and problem-solving skills.
  • A penchant for identifying and remediating inefficiencies in processes.
  • Critical thinking and prioritization of resources to provide the most value to our people and clients.
  • Ability to adapt to a changing environment and make timely decisions.
  • Ability to bring professionalism and a cool head to tense, emotionally charged situations.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit.
  • Work collaboratively within a team environment.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • B.S. in Engineering – Electrical and Electronics preferred
  • Proficiency in meter calibration testing procedures and use of related test equipment (e.g., portable meter test sets, phantom loads).
  • Strong knowledge of three-phase power systems and current/voltage transformer configurations and computations.
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office and utility software (e.g., meter reading systems, work order management tools).
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to operate utility vehicles safely.
  • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and lift equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to drive for extended periods. This work will be 25% travel-based.
PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 3+ years experience with solid-state power meters (e.g., Itron, Landis+Gyr, Ion)
  • OSHA 10 certification
  • Experience with meter-related networking
  • Authorized CAISO Inspector
  • Experience working at substations
  • Extensive experience working with clients, project managers, and technical staff
Benefits & CompensationCOMPENSATION

The base salary range for this position is $140,000 -$180,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.

PAYROLL SCHEDULE

Pay is on the 7th (for the 16th to the end of the month) and the 22nd (for the 1st to the 15th) of each month. In addition to recurring payroll, a third monthly paycheck is earned via our Monthly Profit-Sharing Bonus Plan at the end of each month.

GRIDSME PROFIT SHARING BONUS PLAN

In this position, your base salary will be augmented by GridSME’s Profit-Sharing Bonus Program, which is a Monthly Cash Profit-Sharing Bonus (the “third monthly owners’ dividend check”). As a full-time employee, you will fully participate in GridSME's Profit-Sharing Bonus Plan after a 90-day waiting period for new hires. Our Profit-Sharing Plan is our incentive compensation system. For more information, see Appendix 1_GridSME Profit-Sharing Bonus Plan and the Evolution and Hidden Virtues document, which explains the history and principles built into our Profit-Sharing Plan.

401K PLAN AND COMPANY MATCH

GridSME offers a 401(k) retirement savings program. GridSME will match all employee 401(k) contributions up to 6% of your gross cash compensation (salary and bonuses). Employee and employer contributions begin on the first calendar day of the employee's second calendar month of service. Employer 401(k) match contributions vest immediately. For example, if the employee starts on June 15th, the employee will be eligible to participate in the 401k program and receive a company match effective the payroll period beginning August 1st. 

HEALTH, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

GridSME offers a group medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plan that you and your family are eligible to join. GridSME will pay 75% of the cost of the base medical and dental plan premiums and 100% of the base vision plan premium for you and your family. GridSME will only pay its share of the premiums for the healthcare plan that GridSME provides as the designated base plan for your area. You are eligible for health benefits on the first day of the first calendar month after your start date. GridSME has a tenure-based contribution scale that increases by 5% each full year of service, as of January 1st of the benefits calendar year, up to 95% of the base medical and dental plan premiums being paid by GridSME. For example, if you start on June 15th, your health benefits will begin on July 1st. Also, if you start on June 15th, 2024, your employer contribution will increase to 80% of the base medical and dental plan on January 1, 2026. GridSME also offers a $100,000 Supplemental Life Insurance policy for all full-time employees with premiums covered 100% by GridSME. GridSME also offers employees the opportunity to participate in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account as part of our employee benefits package. In addition, if you are on a high-deductible plan, which is our base medical insurance plan, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA). FSA and HSA plans allow employees to set aside money pre-tax to pay for certain healthcare and dependent daycare expenses.

PAID TIME OFF

This position accrues three (3) weeks (120 hrs.) of vacation per calendar year. This increases to four (4) weeks (160 hrs.) on your three-year anniversary date. In addition to vacation, this position accrues an additional five (5) days (40 hrs.) of Sick Pay per year, with the ability to roll and bank up to ten (10) days (80 hrs.) total. 

ANNUAL HOLIDAYS

GridSME observes the following holidays for a total of 12 paid holidays:

  1. New Year's Day
  2. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
  3. President's Day
  4. Memorial Day
  5. Independence Day
  6. Juneteenth
  7. Labor Day
  8. Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
  9. Veterans Day
  10. Thanksgiving Day
  11. Day after Thanksgiving
  12. Christmas Day
  13. …plus, your birthday is always a day off – whether on a weekday, holiday, or weekend, you should not have to work on your birthday (your birthday off cannot be rolled or banked)
FLEXIBLE WORK LOCATION 

This is a California-based hybrid or remote role, with flexibility in work location within the state. The position requires a California presence due to proximity to job sites and project needs. You are welcome to work from your home office or GridSME’s Folsom office, depending on your needs and preference. Travel to client sites is required for this role and may also involve occasional trips for internal or external meetings at our Folsom office or other locations, training sessions, industry events, and other business-related functions.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE

This position has the flexibility to work a standard schedule or an alternative 9/80 schedule. A 9/80 work schedule is a compressed work schedule consisting of eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and one day off each two-week period. This alternative schedule provides our employees with an additional 26 days off per year, built into their schedule to help them unplug and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Simply put, an employee can have every other Friday off on a 9/80 schedule. 

EVALUATION PERIOD

The first ninety (90) days of your employment will be considered an evaluation period, during which we will assess your performance and your fit with our culture. At the end of this 90-day evaluation period, we will conduct a performance review session to discuss your performance in relation to the job requirements and expectations. If your performance does not meet those requirements and expectations, we reserve the right to end your employment.