electric meter technician
Key facts
Are you interested in a hands-on career that combines technical skills with ensuring accurate energy usage? As an electric meter technician, you'll play a vital role in maintaining the electrical systems that power homes and businesses.
Electric meter technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of electric meter systems within facilities and buildings. This work ensures accurate electricity billing and identifies potential electrical issues. The role requires attention to detail, adherence to safety regulations, and the ability to troubleshoot technical problems. You’ll work directly with electrical equipment, following established procedures and guidelines to guarantee safe and efficient operation.
- • Install new electric meters and related equipment according to regulations.
- • Diagnose and repair faults and other problems with electric meter systems.
- • Test and calibrate meters to ensure accuracy.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Electrical and electronic trades workers — 42 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 17 more.
Longest-running shortage: Belgium, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could electric meter technician fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for electric meter technician
The outlook for electric meter technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could electric meter technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could electric meter technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- wear appropriate protective gear
- apply health and safety standards
- inspect electrical supplies
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- use technical documentation
- use wire hand tools
- measure electrical characteristics
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Construction
A typical day as a electric meter technician
09 09:00 · Morning identify faults in utility meters
10 10:30 · Mid-morning inspect electrical supplies
12 12:00 · Midday install electricity meter
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply health and safety standards
15 15:30 · Late afternoon install electrical and electronic equipment
17 17:00 · Wrap-up measure electrical characteristics
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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electrical wire accessories
Electrical wire and cable products and accessories, such as electrical connectors, splices, and wire insulation.
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smart grids systems
Smart grids are a digital electricity network. The system involves the electronic digital control of production, distribution and use of electricity, information management of the components and energy saving.
- electrical equipment regulations
- electrical wiring plans
- electricity
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inspect electrical supplies
Check electrical supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems.
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perform test run
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
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identify faults in utility meters
Monitor utility measuring instruments, in order to assess whether the readings are accurate, and to identify damage and need for repairs and maintenance.
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install electrical and electronic equipment
Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
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use electrical wire tools
Use tools to manipulate wire which will be used for electrical purposes, such as wire strippers, crimpers, soldering irons, torque wrenches, and heat guns.
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install electricity meter
Place an electricity meter connecting the building to the electrical grid. The meter measures the amount of electricity used. Connect the appropriate wires to the electricity meter and configure the device.
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wear appropriate protective gear
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
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apply health and safety standards
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
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measure electrical characteristics
Measure voltage, current, resistance or other electrical characteristics by using electrical measuring equipment such as multimeters, voltmeters, and ammeters.
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troubleshoot
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
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use testing equipment
Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
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use wire hand tools
Be able to use wire hand tools, such as crimp tools, cable strippers, and cable cutters.
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use technical documentation
Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
See whether this role fits your Career DNA
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Where does electric meter technician fit?
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Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of training or education is required to become an electric meter technician?
- While specific requirements vary, most employers prefer candidates with a vocational training program or associate’s degree in electrical technology or a related field. On-the-job training is also common, and apprenticeship programs can provide a structured path to certification.
- Are electric meter technicians typically employed by utility companies, or are there other employment opportunities?
- This occupation is mostly employee-based, with many electric meter technicians working directly for utility companies. However, it is also commonly a self-employed business, offering opportunities for independent contractors to provide meter installation and maintenance services.
- What safety precautions are important for an electric meter technician?
- Safety is paramount. Electric meter technicians must follow strict safety protocols, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), adhering to lockout/tagout procedures, and understanding electrical hazards. Regular safety training is essential.
- Electric Meter Technician — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 21 of the 23 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia and 17 more. Belgium has reported one for 3 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Electric Meter Technician — what does it pay in the United States?
- $74,690 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $48,670 to $110,900. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.