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Meter reader salary
Average meter reader salary
$46,504
Understanding Meter Reader Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Meter Reader in the United States is $46,504 per year. Salaries may vary based on factors like experience, location, and specific utilities worked for. Entry-level positions typically start around $30,000, while more experienced Meter Readers can earn upwards of $60,000 annually.
Salary by Experience Level
Experience significantly impacts earning potential. Meter Readers with 1-3 years of experience earn an average of $35,000, while those with over 10 years can make up to $60,000. Furthermore, positions in areas with higher living costs generally offer more competitive salaries.
Highest Paying States
Meter Readers in states such as California, New York, and Texas often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for utility services. For instance, California leads with average salaries exceeding $55,000.
Job Opportunities
Numerous job openings for Meter Readers exist across various regions. Candidates with a high school diploma and a valid driver’s license may qualify. Opportunities for advancement into supervisory roles or utility management are available for dedicated professionals.
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Where can a Meter Reader earn more?
Meter reader salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level meter reader | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Mid-level meter reader | $45,300 | $21.76 |
| Senior-level meter reader | $54,800 | $26.35 |
Meter reader salary estimates from across the web
Average meter reader salary by state
The average meter reader salary in Alaska, California, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average meter reader salary states are Kansas, Colorado, and Minnesota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for meter readers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| 2 | California | $66,909 | $32.17 |
| 3 | Alaska | $76,465 | $36.76 |
| 4 | Maine | $56,113 | $26.98 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $61,617 | $29.62 |
| 6 | Mississippi | $51,008 | $24.52 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $54,272 | $26.09 |
| 8 | Indiana | $53,982 | $25.95 |
| 9 | Kentucky | $53,892 | $25.91 |
| 10 | Delaware | $57,262 | $27.53 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $56,072 | $26.96 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $49,401 | $23.75 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $49,812 | $23.95 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $54,611 | $26.26 |
| 15 | Maryland | $55,772 | $26.81 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $50,452 | $24.26 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $52,822 | $25.40 |
| 18 | Missouri | $50,436 | $24.25 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $55,223 | $26.55 |
| 20 | Ohio | $48,662 | $23.40 |
| 21 | Nevada | $49,273 | $23.69 |
| 22 | Washington | $46,456 | $22.33 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $46,332 | $22.27 |
| 24 | Idaho | $44,219 | $21.26 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $50,846 | $24.45 |
| 26 | Michigan | $45,851 | $22.04 |
| 27 | Vermont | $47,472 | $22.82 |
| 28 | Louisiana | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| 29 | Utah | $41,184 | $19.80 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $41,841 | $20.12 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $42,587 | $20.47 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $42,364 | $20.37 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $44,777 | $21.53 |
| 34 | Virginia | $42,780 | $20.57 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $39,431 | $18.96 |
| 36 | Florida | $39,527 | $19.00 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $39,852 | $19.16 |
| 38 | Iowa | $36,742 | $17.66 |
| 39 | Georgia | $37,577 | $18.07 |
| 40 | Illinois | $39,326 | $18.91 |
| 41 | Texas | $38,738 | $18.62 |
| 42 | Montana | $39,198 | $18.85 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $37,782 | $18.16 |
| 44 | Colorado | $35,026 | $16.84 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $37,259 | $17.91 |
| 46 | Kansas | $35,136 | $16.89 |
| 47 | Oregon | $36,592 | $17.59 |
| 48 | Arizona | $30,064 | $14.45 |
| 49 | Alabama | $28,346 | $13.63 |
| 50 | Minnesota | $30,273 | $14.55 |
| 51 | Wyoming | $26,134 | $12.56 |
Highest paying cities for meter readers
The highest-paying cities for meter readers are Palo Alto, CA, Jamestown, NY, and Middletown, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palo Alto, CA | $68,823 | $33.09 |
| 2 | Jamestown, NY | $59,796 | $28.75 |
| 3 | Middletown, CT | $55,575 | $26.72 |
| 4 | Mentor, OH | $51,981 | $24.99 |
| 5 | Erie, PA | $46,956 | $22.57 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $46,717 | $22.46 |
| 7 | Roswell, NM | $43,213 | $20.78 |
| 8 | Tampa, FL | $40,183 | $19.32 |
| 9 | Oklahoma City, OK | $39,954 | $19.21 |
| 10 | San Antonio, TX | $39,806 | $19.14 |
| 11 | Statesville, NC | $38,403 | $18.46 |
| 12 | Canton, GA | $37,753 | $18.15 |
| 13 | Huntsville, AL | $28,257 | $13.59 |
Meter reader salary details
A meter reader's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $86,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a meter reader's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $86,000 | $7,167 | $41 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| Average | $46,504 | $3,875 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying meter reader jobs
The highest paying types of meter readers are meter readers supervisor, reader, and chief meter reader.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meter Technician | $42,394 | $3,533 | $20.38 | 23,912 |
| Reader | $51,782 | $4,315 | $24.89 | 141,266 |
Top companies hiring meter readers now:
Which companies pay meter readers the most?
Meter reader salaries at Xcel Energy and PNM Resources are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average meter reader salary at companies like New Jersey Resources and AVANGRID are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xcel Energy | $68,764 | $33.06 |
| 2 | PNM Resources | $67,992 | $32.69 |
| 3 | New Jersey Resources | $63,362 | $30.46 |
| 4 | AVANGRID | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| 5 | Chesapeake Utilities | $51,317 | $24.67 |
| 6 | South Jersey Industries | $50,388 | $24.23 |
| 7 | Select Source International | $49,592 | $23.84 |
| 8 | City of Seattle | $48,521 | $23.33 |
| 9 | Heath Consultants | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| 10 | Inframark | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| 11 | Broken Arrow Police Department | $46,886 | $22.54 |
| 12 | Olameter | $45,089 | $21.68 |
| 13 | System One | $42,945 | $20.65 |
| 14 | California Water Service Group | $42,361 | $20.37 |
| 15 | City of Roseville Michigan | $42,352 | $20.36 |
| 16 | City of Georgetown | $42,306 | $20.34 |
| 17 | City of Gainesville | $40,756 | $19.59 |
| 18 | Suburban Propane | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| 19 | Borough Of Chambersburg | $39,286 | $18.89 |
| 20 | ACRT Services | $38,754 | $18.63 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Meter reader salary trends
The average meter reader salary has risen by $7,251 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average meter reader earned $39,253 annually, but today, they earn $46,504 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for meter readers over the last decade.
Compare meter reader salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average meter reader salary over time
Compare meter reader salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Meter reader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,500 | $22.36 | -0.8% |
| 2024 | $46,900 | $22.54 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $44,800 | $21.52 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $43,500 | $20.92 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $43,200 | $20.76 | +1.1% |
Recently added meter reader salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Fuel Gas | Meter Reader | Erie, PA | 06/28/2025 | $37,649 |
| New Jersey Resources Corp | (Njng Union) Meter Reader-Temp | Lakewood, NJ | 06/28/2025 | $51,486 |
| Acrt, Inc. | Meter Reader | Paulding County | Dallas, GA | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| City of Sugar Land, Tx | Meter Reader (Temporary) | Sugar Land, TX | 06/24/2025 | $52,175 |
| New Mexico Water Service | Meter Reader | Belen, NM | 06/22/2025 | $39,500 |
| California Water Service Group | Meter Reader | Belen, NM | 06/20/2025 | $39,500 |
| Scope Services | Meter Reader | Syracuse, NY | 06/20/2025 | $52,175 |
| Olameter Corporation | Utility Meter Reader | Tampa, FL | 06/16/2025 | $43,827 |
| City of Vallejo (Ca | Meter Reader | Vallejo, CA | 06/15/2025 | $54,928 |
| Acrt, Inc. | Meter Reader | | Huntsville, AL | 06/13/2025 | $35,479 |
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