Meter Reader, Utilities Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Meter Readers, Utilities in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$79,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+64% vs US median
US median $48,150
State Rank
#1 of 39
810 employed here

How much does a Meter Reader, Utilities make in California?

A Meter Reader, Utilities working in California earns a median salary of $79,040 per year, or about $38.00 per hour. That is 64% above the national median of $48,150 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $50,400 while the top 10% make $102,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,540 and $99,180 a year.

Meter Reader, Utilities salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,400$24.23
25th percentile (early career)$62,540$30.07
50th percentile (median)$79,040$38.00
75th percentile (experienced)$99,180$47.68
90th percentile (top earners)$102,310$49.19

How California compares

California ranks 1st out of 39 states and territories for Meter Reader, Utilities pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$79,040
2Pennsylvania$78,450
3Nevada$76,120
4Minnesota$73,930
5Colorado$66,550

Working as a Meter Reader, Utilities in California

Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Meter Readers, Utilities in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($79,040) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Meter Reader, Utilities make in California?
The median Meter Reader, Utilities salary in California is $79,040 per year, or about $38.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,400 at the entry level to $102,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Meter Readers, Utilities about 64% more than the national median of $48,150. California ranks 1st out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Meter Readers, Utilities?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,040 a year. About 810 Meter Readers, Utilities are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Meter Reader, Utilities salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.