Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in Ohio is $47,780/year ($22.97/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $87K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.45), which stretches that salary to about $52,247 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,188/month, about 36.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Ohio. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $48K get you in Ohio?
About meter readers, utilities
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What this looks like in Ohio
Meter readers, utilities pay in Ohio tracks closely to the national median, $48K locally vs. $48K nationwide, a 1% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,188/month, which is 35.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.45 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ohio
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $87K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by metro in Ohio
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $78K | +63% | 90 |
| Cincinnati | $51K | +7% | 100 |
| Columbus | $47K | -1% | 390 |
| Akron | $45K | -6% | 80 |
| Toledo | $45K | -6% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ohio numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a meter readers, utility afford a 2BR apartment alone in Ohio?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $48K, rent takes 35.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,188/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/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 Ohio?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new meter readers, utilities typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,376/month. At HUD’s $1,188/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Ohio?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $48K locally vs. $48K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Ohio compare to the national average for meter readers, utilities?
Ohio pays $48K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.45), the purchasing-power equivalent is $52K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do meter readers, utilities make in Ohio?
The median is $47,780 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,600, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $86,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Ohio?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,319/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,188/month, which eats 35.8% 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 Ohio?
Ohio has a Regional Price Parity of 91.45 (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 $52,247 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.