Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in Texas is $43,030/year ($20.69/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $47,032 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,415/month, about 45.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $43K get you in Texas?
About meter readers, utilities
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What this looks like in Texas
Pay for meter readers, utilities in Texas runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $48K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,415/month, which is 46.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% 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, Texas
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K. Top earners bring in $60K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by metro in Texas
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $46K | +8% | 60 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $45K | +4% | 270 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $44K | +3% | 260 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $43K | -0% | 120 |
| El Paso | $39K | -9% | 30 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $35K | -18% | 30 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $31K | -28% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a meter readers, utility afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $43K, rent takes 46.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/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 Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new meter readers, utilities typically earn — is $31K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,862/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 76% 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 Texas?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $43K here vs. $48K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Texas compare to the national average for meter readers, utilities?
Texas pays $43K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $47K — below the national median.
How much do meter readers, utilities make in Texas?
The median is $43,030 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,030, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $60,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,051/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 46.4% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $47,032 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.