Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Meter Reader Salary in the United States

How much does a Meter Reader make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Meter Reader in the United States is $56,242 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Meter Reader's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $67,210
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,900 to $61,983
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,036
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Meter Reader Salaries

A Meter Reader's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Meter Reader Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Meter Reader's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Meter Reader (0-1 years): $56,242
  • Meter Maintenance Technician (3-5 years): $89,285
  • Meter Operations Supervisor (5+ years): $91,611
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Meter Reader0-1 years$56,242
Meter Maintenance Technician3-5 years$89,285
Meter Operations Supervisor5+ years$91,611
View as Graph

How Do Meter Readers Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Meter Readers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,271.
  • California: $62,035.
  • Massachusetts: $61,208.

Top Paying Cities for Meter Reader

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,938
  • San Francisco: $70,161
  • Oakland: $68,683

What Skills Can Increase a Meter Reader's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 14.93% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 2.6% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
  • Google Maps (Mentioned in 1.91% Job Postings): Google Maps is a web mapping platform and consumer application offered by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps,
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 14.93%
Data Entry 2.6%
Google Maps 1.91%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Meter Reader's salary.

  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Customer Focus: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Renewable Energy: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Plumbing $69,178
23%
Customer Focus $65,803
17%
Renewable Energy $60,179
7%
Get Latest Data

Meter Reader Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Meter Reader salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $61,388. While startup companies pay approximate $52,157.

Meter Reader Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $52,157
Growth Stage 51~500 $55,107
Established 501~5000 $59,344
Enterprise 5000+ $61,388

Meter Reader Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Meter Reader roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Meter Reader positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Meter Reader as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Meter Reader

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$61,866$30.010%

How Education impacts an Meter Reader's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Meter Reader enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Meter Reader with a Bachelor's Degree is between $51,850 and $57,262.

Meter Reader Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Meter Reader
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 12.5%
High School 75.0%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 12.5%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Meter Reader Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Meter Reader's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$50,900
Average $56,242/year
$61,983
$4,242
Average $4,687/month
$5,165
$979
Average $1,082/week
$1,192
$24
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,983 $5,165 $1,192 $30
Average $56,242 $4,687 $1,082 $27
25th Percentile $50,900 $4,242 $979 $24

Meter Reader Salary Growth & Career Path

Meter Reader

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Meter Reader, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Electric and Gas Operations Supervisor $97,917 74%
Meter Maintenance Technician $89,285 59%
Oilwell Pumper $60,173 7%

Most common benefits for Meter Reader

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Meter Reader

Here are companies hiring for Meter Reader and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Meter Reader Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Meter Reader job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Meter Reader

1. Where can a Meter Reader earn the most?

A Meter Reader's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Meter Reader earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Meter Reader is $70,938.

2. What is the highest pay for Meter Reader?

The highest pay for Meter Reader is $67,210.

3. What is the lowest pay for Meter Reader?

The lowest pay for Meter Reader is $46,036.

4. What are the responsibilities of Meter Reader?

Responsible for reading electric, gas, or water meters. Keeps track of their use by recording appropriate information. Inspects meters for damages or defects. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Meter Reader?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Meter Reader roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst