Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in Tennessee is $45,210/year ($21.74/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $50,356 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,215/month, about 37.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $45K get you in Tennessee?
About meter readers, utilities
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Meter readers, utilities pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $45K locally vs. $48K nationwide, a 6% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,215/month, which is 38% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, Tennessee
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K. Top earners bring in $72K or more, a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by metro in Tennessee
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $48K | +6% | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $47K | +4% | 140 |
| Cleveland | $47K | +3% | 30 |
| Clarksville | $45K | +0% | 40 |
| Knoxville | $45K | -1% | 180 |
| Chattanooga | $44K | -3% | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $41K | -10% | 30 |
| Memphis | $40K | -12% | 60 |
| Johnson City | $39K | -14% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a meter readers, utility afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $45K, rent takes 38% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/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 Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new meter readers, utilities typically earn — is $30K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,817/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 67% 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 Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $45K locally vs. $48K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for meter readers, utilities?
Tennessee pays $45K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $50K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do meter readers, utilities make in Tennessee?
The median is $45,210 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,280, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $71,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,197/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 38% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $50,356 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.