Meter Readers, Utilities Salary
The median pay for a meter readers, utilities in Washington is $65,900/year ($31.68/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $64,602 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 40% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Washington?
About meter readers, utilities
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for meter readers, utilities, local pay runs about 37% 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 $1,830/month, which is 40.1% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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, Washington
Entry-level meter readers, utilities (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary by metro in Washington
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $74K | +12% | 180 |
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Track meter readers, utilities salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a meter readers, utility afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 40.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new meter readers, utilities typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,538/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 72% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $66K here vs. $48K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for meter readers, utilities?
Washington pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $48K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do meter readers, utilities make in Washington?
The median is $65,900 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,300, and experienced meter readers, utilities can clear $106,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,562/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 40.1% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median meter readers, utilities salary is worth about $64,602 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.