Meter Reader: A Job You Can Walk Away With

Traversing the roads of Orange County for more than 13 years, Richard Johnson has raked up quite a few miles.

Johnson, 37, who works for Southern California Gas Co., said he enjoys his independence as a meter reader and the benefits of being outdoors.

The last job he held was as a busboy, which he said “just wasn’t for me.” He got a job as a meter reader thinking it would be good because if you finish your rounds quickly, you get off early.

“When I saw guys getting off at 4:30 p.m., I decided this was the job for me,” he said. Under optimal conditions, Johnson makes his appointed rounds and is on the beach surfing by late afternoon.

Even when he can’t make it to the beach, he stays physically fit as a result of his job. Johnson estimates he walks eight to 10 miles daily reading meters at homes and offices. Though he loves the outdoors, he admits having a job that demands he be outside isn’t always a plus.

“When it’s raining, that’s when we really earn our money,” Johnson said. “And when it’s real hot, you get the heat headaches and you fatigue easy.”

But the benefits are that essentially he is his own boss. In the morning, meter readers check in to pick up a computer that tells them how many and where the meters are they have to read. When they are done, they head back to the office and turn in the computer.

In between, you are in charge of your own schedule, Johnson said. You decide when you take your breaks, and there is no boss constantly watching over you, he added.

But dogs can be a problem. Johnson has been bitten three times and landed in the hospital once resulting from one of the attacks.

But it’s not only the dogs he has to watch out for. According to Johnson, people increasingly are becoming unfriendly.

Whether his clients are friendly or not, Johnson maintains a smile. “I like to chat with the clients. I still do the ‘How’s it going?’ thing,” he said.

OCCUPATION: Meter reader

* What’s involved: Monitoring and recording utility meter use for billing purposes.

* Prospects: The number of meter readers working in the county is expected to increase by 23.1% to 160 by 1998.

* Salary range: $10 per hour

* Pros: Meter readers are outdoors all day and work independently.

* Cons: Must beware of vicious dogs and bad weather. It also can get boring working alone.

* Quote: “When I saw guys getting off at 4:30 p.m., I decided this was the job for me.”--Richard Johnson

Researched by VALERIE WILLIAMS-SANCHEZ / Los Angeles Times