SOC 43-5041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Meter Readers, Utilities — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 10 metro areas compared
In Lakeland, FL the median wage is $37,520.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lakeland, FL the median wage is $37,520. That is 22.1% lower than the national median of $48,150. Pay ranges from under $36,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $59,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,820 to $47,740.
Employment stands at 50, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Jacksonville records the highest median at $55,180. Of the 429 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 357th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,650 | −23.9% |
| 25th | $36,820 | −23.5% |
| Median (50th) | $37,520 | −22.1% |
| 75th | $47,740 | −0.9% |
| 90th | $59,210 | +23.0% |
| Mean | $44,350 | −7.9% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville | $55,180 | 140 | |
| 2 | Wildwood | $44,770 | 40 | |
| 3 | Miami | $42,280 | 380 | |
| 4 | North Port | $41,410 | 30 | |
| 5 | Orlando | $40,730 | 190 | |
| 6 | Tampa | $40,100 | 310 | |
| 7 | Deltona | $39,520 | 40 | |
| 8 | Palm Bay | $39,370 | 50 | |
| 9 | Port St. Lucie | $39,210 | 50 | |
| 10 | Panama City | $38,280 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $37,520 buys what $36,286 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 24.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,286US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,520 a year, 22.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,650 to $59,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jacksonville, at $55,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Meter Readers, Utilities in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $37,520, or $18.04 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 Lakeland, FL is 22.1% 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 Lakeland, FL earns more than $59,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,650 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 Jacksonville, at $55,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. 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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