SOC 43-5041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Meter Readers, Utilities — East Tennessee
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in East Tennessee, TN comes to $58,910 a year, ahead of the national median of $48,150 by 22.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in East Tennessee, TN comes to $58,910 a year, ahead of the national median of $48,150 by 22.3%. Pay ranges from under $34,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $71,850 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,960 to $71,440.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.45 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Jackson records the highest median at $47,870. Of the 340 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 96th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,230 | −28.9% |
| 25th | $46,960 | −2.5% |
| Median (50th) | $58,910 | +22.3% |
| 75th | $71,440 | +48.4% |
| 90th | $71,850 | +49.2% |
| Mean | $56,720 | +17.8% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $47,870 | 50 | |
| 2 | Nashville | $47,100 | 140 | |
| 3 | Cleveland | $46,560 | 30 | |
| 4 | Clarksville | $45,210 | 40 | |
| 5 | Knoxville | $44,700 | 180 | |
| 6 | Chattanooga | $43,740 | 40 | |
| 7 | Kingsport | $40,780 | 30 | |
| 8 | Memphis | $39,880 | 60 | |
| 9 | Johnson City | $39,090 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $58,910 goes as far as $64,102 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 33.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,910as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,102US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,910 a year, 22.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,230 to $71,850 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jackson, at $47,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Meter Readers, Utilities in East Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $58,910, or $28.32 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 East Tennessee, TN is 22.3% higher. 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 East Tennessee, TN earns more than $71,850 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,230 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 Jackson, at $47,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in East Tennessee, TN. 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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