cant get user level with get_the_author_meta

Im using the below code trying to test the user level, and it keeps returning 0(zero) which i believe is subscriber, although roles page says user levels are 1-9???

I get 0 when im running it as an admin user. So im posting code for help. I just need to test if its a subscriber or author.

I posted several versions of get_the_author_meta() to cover all the basis and they all return 0.

any help appreciated.

// The Loop
while ( $new_query->have_posts() ) : $new_query->the_post();

// variables we will need
$image =  wp_get_attachment_image_src(get_field('image1'), 'thumbnail');
$custom = get_post_custom($new_query->ID);
$title = get_the_title();
$tagline = $custom["tagline"][0];
$description = $custom["description"][0];

$level = get_the_author_meta('user_level');
echo $level;
 get_the_author_meta('user_level');
echo the_author_meta('user_level');
the_author_meta('user_level');
 exit;

I am using the plugin wp-emember also fyi. this is on the home page.