Meter Readers, Utility Salary in 2026

    SOC: 43-5041.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $49,180
    per year
    Salary Range
    $34K – $86K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    19,620
    employed
    Job Growth
    -12.0%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Meter Readers, Utilitys Make?

    Meter Readers, Utilitys earn a median annual salary of $49,180 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $33,980 at the 10th percentile to $86,480 at the 90th percentile — a range of $52,500. The highest-paying state is Wisconsin at $87,610.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$33,980
    25th percentile$39,620
    Median (50th)$49,180
    75th percentile$68,030
    90th percentile$86,480
    10th: $33,980Median: $49,18090th: $86,480
    Section 02

    Meter Readers, Utility Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Wisconsintop$87,610
    Nebraska$84,730
    California$78,970
    Illinois$78,620
    Nevada$71,600
    New York$69,050
    Washington$67,240
    Minnesota$66,210
    Montana$66,160
    Oregon$61,820
    Maine$61,520
    West Virginia$60,230
    Colorado$60,110
    Wyoming$59,870
    Connecticut$58,710
    Iowa$58,600
    Michigan$57,610
    Maryland$57,000
    New Jersey$56,670
    Vermont$56,590
    New Hampshire$56,240
    Massachusetts$55,820
    Delaware$54,540
    Utah$53,650
    Indiana$52,070
    Hawaii$50,400
    Missouri$49,570
    South Dakota$48,800
    Rhode Island$48,370
    Arizona$47,980
    Alabama$47,470
    South Carolina$47,200
    Ohio$46,930
    Pennsylvania$45,840
    Virginia$45,370
    Kentucky$44,220
    Georgia$44,180
    Florida$44,120
    New Mexico$40,140
    Texas$40,050
    North Carolina$39,720
    Tennessee$38,450
    Mississippi$38,240
    Oklahoma$37,820
    Louisiana$37,190
    North Dakota$36,330
    Arkansas$34,830
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Meter Readers, Utilitys

    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    Highest paying
    $99,350
    top metro salary
    Wisconsin
    $87,610
    $-11,740 vs highest
    Nebraska
    $84,730
    $-14,620 vs highest
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
    $79,210
    $-20,140 vs highest
    California
    $78,970
    $-20,380 vs highest
    Illinois
    $78,620
    $-20,730 vs highest
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
    $73,690
    $-25,660 vs highest
    Nevada
    $71,600
    $-27,750 vs highest
    Section 04

    Meter Readers, Utility Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$33,980 – $39,620
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$49,180
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$68,030
    Senior (15+ yrs)$86,480+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Meter Readers, Utility

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Meter Readers, Utilitys in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $99,350 — $50,170 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($68,030) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Meter Readers, Utility Salary vs Similar Careers

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 43-5041.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.