SOC 43-5041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Meter Readers, Utilities — Alabama
Alabama · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Meter Readers, Utilities in Alabama is $45,710 per year, close to the national median of $48,150 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Meter Readers, Utilities in Alabama is $45,710 per year, close to the national median of $48,150 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $37,740 and $60,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,460 and the ninetieth at $72,200.
The area has 470 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.2 of every thousand jobs. Alabama ranks number 27th out of 39 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Daphne records the highest median at $49,660. Of the 690 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 447th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,460 | −30.5% |
| 25th | $37,740 | −21.6% |
| Median (50th) | $45,710 | −5.1% |
| 75th | $60,040 | +24.7% |
| 90th | $72,200 | +49.9% |
| Mean | $49,940 | +3.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daphne | $49,660 | 30 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $49,110 | 70 | |
| 3 | Huntsville | $46,190 | 50 | |
| 4 | Tuscaloosa | $40,500 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,710 goes as far as $51,475 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,475US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,710 a year, 5.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,460 to $72,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 470 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 27th of 39 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Daphne, at $49,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Meter Readers, Utilities in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $45,710, or $21.98 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $48,150, so pay in Alabama is 5.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Alabama earns more than $72,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,460 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Daphne, at $49,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 470 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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