Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
Meter Readers, Utilities earn a median $48,150 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
U.S. median
$48,150
$23.15 per hour
Range
$34,720 – $85,930
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
19,430
across the U.S.
▼2.1%
Pay trend: The median for meter readers, utilities in the U.S. fell from $49,180 (May 2024) to $48,150 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 4.5%.
What meter readers, utilities do
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -10.5% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
Employment of meter readers, utilities is projected to shrink 10.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Meter Readers, Utilities take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$40,869
per year · effective tax rate 15.1%
$3,406Monthly
$1,703Twice a month
$1,572Every 2 weeks
$19.65Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,598
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,985
- Medicare (1.45%)$698
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,869
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,720 | $16.69 | $30,078 |
| 25th percentile | $39,410 | $18.95 | $33,846 |
| Median (50th) | $48,150 | $23.15 | $40,869 |
| 75th percentile | $65,750 | $31.61 | $55,010 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,930 | $41.31 | $69,282 |
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $79,040 | +0.1% | $60,286 | $50,400 – $102,310 | 810 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,450 | +71.1% | $61,611 | $39,310 – $99,940 | 860 |
| Nevada | $76,120 | +6.3% | $62,380 | $36,000 – $99,790 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $73,930 | +11.7% | $57,336 | $40,150 – $86,910 | 120 |
| Colorado | $66,550 | +10.7% | $53,428 | $45,650 – $88,670 | 150 |
| Washington | $65,900 | −2.0% | $55,131 | $42,300 – $106,330 | 390 |
| Connecticut | $64,180 | +9.3% | $51,786 | $39,530 – $97,550 | 140 |
| Oregon | $63,660 | +3.0% | $48,590 | $38,850 – $78,090 | 120 |
| New Jersey | $63,030 | +11.2% | $50,890 | $48,660 – $91,710 | 870 |
| Alaska | $62,690 | — | $52,551 | $30,520 – $91,470 | 40 |
| Wyoming | $61,470 | +2.7% | $51,571 | $44,760 – $99,090 | 50 |
| Iowa | $60,940 | +4.0% | $49,481 | $42,530 – $73,560 | 120 |
| Michigan | $60,870 | +5.7% | $48,753 | $39,540 – $92,440 | 270 |
| Illinois | $60,690 | −22.8% | $48,085 | $31,200 – $104,960 | 570 |
| West Virginia | $59,430 | −1.3% | $47,993 | $36,650 – $86,880 | 280 |
| Delaware | $58,240 | +6.8% | $46,420 | $43,520 – $95,330 | 30 |
| New York | $56,960 | −17.5% | $45,469 | $39,630 – $108,190 | 930 |
| Rhode Island | $56,830 | +17.5% | $46,329 | $44,880 – $67,750 | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $54,150 | −3.0% | $43,202 | $43,280 – $90,530 | 300 |
| Hawaii | $51,910 | +3.0% | $41,468 | $40,260 – $78,050 | 50 |
| Kansas | $49,870 | — | $40,267 | $15,080 – $79,380 | 80 |
| Indiana | $49,200 | −5.5% | $40,290 | $36,200 – $97,820 | 330 |
| Missouri | $49,150 | −0.8% | $40,299 | $34,040 – $83,150 | 330 |
| New Mexico | $48,530 | +20.9% | $40,054 | $39,490 – $64,920 | 350 |
| South Carolina | $47,850 | +1.4% | $38,914 | $32,570 – $63,090 | 410 |
| Ohio | $47,780 | +1.8% | $40,040 | $39,600 – $86,560 | 1,070 |
| Alabama | $45,710 | −3.7% | $36,887 | $33,460 – $72,200 | 470 |
| Tennessee | $45,210 | +17.6% | $38,506 | $30,280 – $71,850 | 860 |
| Arizona | $44,760 | −6.7% | $37,234 | $38,170 – $66,030 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $44,450 | +0.5% | $36,457 | $32,200 – $62,690 | 690 |
| Virginia | $44,020 | −3.0% | $35,833 | $31,750 – $61,650 | 630 |
| Georgia | $43,140 | −2.4% | $35,227 | $36,040 – $63,610 | 670 |
| Texas | $43,030 | +7.4% | $36,755 | $31,030 – $60,360 | 1,360 |
| North Carolina | $41,830 | +5.3% | $34,630 | $33,730 – $62,200 | 640 |
| Florida | $40,610 | −8.0% | $34,810 | $36,820 – $73,080 | — |
| Oklahoma | $39,480 | +4.4% | $32,671 | $31,120 – $64,500 | 390 |
| Louisiana | $37,570 | +1.0% | $31,627 | $23,840 – $50,150 | 500 |
| Arkansas | $37,340 | +7.2% | $30,939 | $22,880 – $66,000 | 230 |
| Mississippi | $37,120 | −2.9% | $31,253 | $21,600 – $61,380 | 600 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.8% |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $50,340 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $45,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | -7.6% |
| Cargo and Freight Agent | $52,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.2% |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Courier and Messenger | $39,200 | High school diploma or equivalent | +8.0% |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $58,470 | No formal educational credential | -5.3% |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $59,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,550 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
| Postal Service Clerk | $62,130 | No formal educational credential | -0.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meter readers, utilities make?
The national median salary for meter readers, utilities is $48,150 a year ($23.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,720 and the top 10% earn over $85,930. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays meter readers, utilities the most?
California has the highest median pay at $79,040.
How many meter readers, utilities are there in the U.S.?
About 19,430 people work as meter readers, utilities nationwide.