SOC 43-5041 · May 2025 · United States
Meter Readers, Utilities
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Meter Readers, Utilities across the United States is $48,150 per year, measured over 19,430 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $79,040.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to decline
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- -12.0%
- Openings per year
- 1,300
- Typical entry-level education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Meter Readers, Utilities
Pay for this occupation varies by 112.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $79,040 and Mississippi pays $37,120.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $79,040 | 810 | |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $78,450 | 860 | |
| 3 | Nevada | $76,120 | 160 | |
| 4 | Minnesota | $73,930 | 120 | |
| 5 | Colorado | $66,550 | 150 | |
| 6 | Washington | $65,900 | 390 | |
| 7 | Connecticut | $64,180 | 140 | |
| 8 | Oregon | $63,660 | 120 | |
| 9 | New Jersey | $63,030 | 870 | |
| 10 | Alaska | $62,690 | 40 |
States with the most Meter Readers, Utilities jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 1,360 | $43,030 | |
| 2 | Ohio | 1,070 | $47,780 | |
| 3 | New York | 930 | $56,960 | |
| 4 | New Jersey | 870 | $63,030 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 860 | $78,450 | |
| 6 | Tennessee | 860 | $45,210 | |
| 7 | California | 810 | $79,040 | |
| 8 | Kentucky | 690 | $44,450 | |
| 9 | Georgia | 670 | $43,140 | |
| 10 | North Carolina | 640 | $41,830 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $100,480 | 140 |
| 2 | Reno | $89,460 | 40 |
| 3 | Omaha | $87,320 | 60 |
| 4 | Philadelphia | $83,350 | 400 |
| 5 | Sacramento | $82,420 | 60 |
| 6 | Chicago | $80,180 | 250 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh | $78,290 | 250 |
| 8 | Cleveland | $77,660 | 90 |
| 9 | Riverside | $75,830 | 130 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $75,140 | 210 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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