Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in New York is $56,960/year ($27.38/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $57,998 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,917/month, about 51.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New York. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $57K get you in New York?
About meter readers, utilities
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in New York
New York sits well above the national pay line for meter readers, utilities, local pay runs about 18% higher than the U.S. median of $48K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,917/month, which is 50.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $108K or more, a $69K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by metro in New York
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $63K | +11% | 1,110 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $59K | +3% | 30 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $57K | -0% | 50 |
| Rochester | $45K | -20% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
Related careers in Office & Admin
Frequently asked questions
Can a meter readers, utility afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $57K, rent takes 50.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for meter readers, utilities in New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new meter readers, utilities typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,378/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 81% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is meter readers, utility a high-paying job in New York?
Local pay is 18% above the national median — $57K here vs. $48K nationally.
How does New York compare to the national average for meter readers, utilities?
New York pays $57K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s +18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $58K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do meter readers, utilities make in New York?
The median is $56,960 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,630, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $108,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,773/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 50.8% 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 York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (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 $57,998 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.