Meter Readers, Utilities Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in New Orleans-Metairie, LA is $36,210/year ($17.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $23K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $39,104 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,331/month — about 53.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $36K get you in New Orleans-Metairie?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by New Orleans-Metairie’s Regional Price Parity (92.6). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $23K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $61K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $88K | +78% | 230 |
| Nebraska | $85K | +72% | 110 |
| California | $79K | +61% | 890 |
| Illinois | $79K | +60% | 770 |
| Nevada | $72K | +46% | 140 |
| New York | $69K | +40% | 870 |
| Washington | $67K | +37% | 380 |
| Minnesota | $66K | +35% | 270 |
| Montana | $66K | +35% | 40 |
| Oregon | $62K | +26% | 140 |
| Maine | $62K | +25% | 30 |
| West Virginia | $60K | +22% | 400 |
| Wyoming | $60K | +22% | 50 |
| Connecticut | $59K | +19% | 110 |
| Iowa | $59K | +19% | 80 |
| Michigan | $58K | +17% | 280 |
| Maryland | $57K | +16% | 280 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +15% | 1,170 |
| Vermont | $57K | +15% | 50 |
| New Hampshire | $56K | +14% | 40 |
| Massachusetts | $56K | +14% | 390 |
| Delaware | $55K | +11% | 30 |
| Utah | $54K | +9% | 210 |
| Indiana | $52K | +6% | 310 |
| Hawaii | $50K | +2% | 50 |
| Missouri | $50K | +1% | 390 |
| South Dakota | $49K | -1% | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $48K | -2% | 40 |
| Arizona | $48K | -2% | 530 |
| Alabama | $47K | -3% | 430 |
| South Carolina | $47K | -4% | 410 |
| Ohio | $47K | -5% | 1,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $46K | -7% | 990 |
| Virginia | $45K | -8% | 430 |
| Kentucky | $44K | -10% | 640 |
| Georgia | $44K | -10% | 600 |
| Florida | $44K | -10% | 940 |
| New Mexico | $40K | -18% | 360 |
| Texas | $40K | -19% | 1,280 |
| North Carolina | $40K | -19% | 530 |
| Tennessee | $38K | -22% | 720 |
| Mississippi | $38K | -22% | 590 |
| Oklahoma | $38K | -23% | 310 |
| Louisiana | $37K | -24% | 670 |
| North Dakota | $36K | -26% | 30 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -29% | 200 |
Showing 1–10 of 46 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Orleans-Metairie numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do meter readers, utilities make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median is $36,210 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $22,920, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $61,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $36K enough to live in New Orleans-Metairie?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,506/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month, which eats 53.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a meter readers, utilities salary go in New Orleans-Metairie?
New Orleans-Metairie has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median meter readers, utilities salary is worth about $39,104 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do meter readers, utilities get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.