Meter Reader salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A meter reader earns a median of $48,150 a year ($23.15 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $55,380. About 19,430 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $48,150
- Gross pay
- $1,851.92
- Federal income tax
- −$138.38
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$114.82
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$26.85
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,571.87
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $48,150
- Federal
- $3,598
- FICA
- $3,683
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $40,869
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Billing and Posting Clerk: $48,500
- New Accounts Clerk: $47,670
- Court: $48,700
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant: $47,540
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk: $49,230
- Bill and Account Collector: $47,030
- Word Processor and Typist: $49,280
- Correspondence Clerk: $46,800
BLS occupation: Meter Readers, Utilities. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 43-5041). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meter reader make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $23.15; the average is $26.63.
What is the salary range for a meter reader?
The bottom 10% earn under $34,720 and the top 10% earn over $85,930 a year.
How much is $48,150 after taxes?
About $40,869 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $39,314 in California for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.