Meter Reader, Utilities Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Meter Readers, Utilities — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$48,150
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$23.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$85,930
entry level starts ~$34,720
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 19,000 employed

How much does a Meter Reader, Utilities make?

The median pay for a Meter Reader, Utilities in the United States is $48,150 per year — about $23.15 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $34,720, while the most experienced Meter Readers, Utilities in the top 10% earn $85,930.

That is $13,240 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Meter Reader, Utilities salary range by percentile

Half of all Meter Readers, Utilities earn between $39,410 and $65,750 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,720$16.69
25th percentile (early career)$39,410$18.95
50th percentile (median)$48,150$23.15
75th percentile (experienced)$65,750$31.61
90th percentile (top earners)$85,930$41.31

Highest-paying states for Meter Reader, Utilities

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. California leads the country for Meter Reader, Utilities pay at $79,040 a year, followed by Pennsylvania ($78,450) and Nevada ($76,120). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $37,120 — a gap of $41,920 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1California$79,040$38.00+64%
2Pennsylvania$78,450$37.72+63%
3Nevada$76,120$36.60+58%
4Minnesota$73,930$35.54+54%
5Colorado$66,550$32.00+38%

Workforce and education

About 19,000 people work as Meter Readers, Utilities in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $55,380 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Meter Reader, Utilities make in the United States?
The median Meter Reader, Utilities salary in the United States is $48,150 per year, or about $23.15 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $34,720, while the top 10% of earners make $85,930 or more.
How does Meter Reader, Utilities pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Meter Reader, Utilities median of $48,150 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Meter Readers, Utilities the most?
California is the highest-paying state for Meter Readers, Utilities, with a median salary of $79,040 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Meter Reader, Utilities?
Becoming a Meter Reader, Utilities typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Meter Readers, Utilities work in the United States?
About 19,000 people were employed as Meter Readers, Utilities in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.