Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in North Carolina is $41,830/year ($20.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $45,144 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,284/month, about 44.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $42K get you in North Carolina?
About meter readers, utilities
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for meter readers, utilities in North Carolina runs about 13% below the U.S. median of $48K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,284/month, which is 45.6% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for meter readers, utilitiess.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by metro in North Carolina
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $46K | +10% | 130 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $44K | +6% | 50 |
| Winston-Salem | $44K | +5% | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $43K | +2% | 70 |
| Wilmington | $38K | -10% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a meter readers, utility afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $42K, rent takes 45.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/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 North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new meter readers, utilities typically earn — is $34K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,024/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 63% 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 North Carolina?
Local pay runs 13% below the national median — $42K here vs. $48K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for meter readers, utilities?
North Carolina pays $42K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s -13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $45K — below the national median.
How much do meter readers, utilities make in North Carolina?
The median is $41,830 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,730, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $62,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,814/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 45.6% 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (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 $45,144 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.