Smart meter installer
Smart meter installers fit gas and electricity meters in customers' homes and businesses.
Also known as: Dual fuel smart meter installer
- Starter salary£24,000 a year
- Experienced£38,000 a year
- Typical hours42 to 44 a week
- Green jobYes
What you'll do
As a smart meter installer you could:
- visit customers' homes and businesses to fit smart meters for gas, electricity or both
- set up connections between the meter and heating and hot water systems
- test equipment to make sure it's working safely
- show customers how to use their smart meter
- advise customers on how to be more energy efficient
Working environment
You could work at a client's home or at a client's business.
Your working environment may be cramped and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- practical skills for installing equipment
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- the ability to use your initiative
- maths knowledge
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a smart meter installer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course which can be useful when applying for a trainee job.
Courses include:
- electrical Installation
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could start your installation career by doing a Duel Fuel Smart Meter Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
This takes a minimum of one year and 2 months to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly to energy companies for trainee smart meter installer jobs.
Experience and qualifications in gas or electricity installation will be useful, though this is not always essential. Employers will often give on-the-job training to the right person.
Some employers might ask for GCSEs, including maths and English, or equivalent qualifications, and good customer service skills.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full driving licence
- pass background checks
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become an team leader, offering technical advice to installers
- train new smart meter installers
- move into gas or electrical engineering with an energy provider
- train to install electric vehicle charging points, fit solar panels or to be an energy efficiency consultant
Guides for this industry
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