How much does a meter reader make?
Answer: A typical meter reader in the United States makes $48,150 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 19,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Meter reader pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $34,720 | $48,150 | $85,930 | about 19,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $79,040 | about 810 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,450 | about 860 |
| New Jersey | $63,030 | about 870 |
| New York | $56,960 | about 930 |
| Ohio | $47,780 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay differs by location and employer: power, gas, water utilities, and local governments may pay differently. Experience, added troubleshooting skills, and how many hours someone works can also matter.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a meter reader do?
Read meter and record consumption of electricity, gas, water, or steam.
What's a typical day like?
They walk or drive an assigned route, read electric, gas, or water meters, and enter the numbers on a handheld computer. They check for damage or unusual readings, report problems, and may arrange another visit if a meter is hard to reach.
How to get this job
In the U.S., the usual starting point is a high school diploma or GED and a driver’s license; employers may also require a drug test and background check. New readers learn routes, meters, and safety on the job, often with an experienced reader.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.
Did you know?
Even smart meters still need people: if one stops sending readings, a meter reader may drive out to find the problem and troubleshoot it.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Office and Administrative Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/43-5041.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2022/may/oes435041.htm
- www.careeronestop.org/Videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=43504100
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- texascooppower.com/reading-between-the-lines
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY