Meter Readers, Utilities salary in Tennessee
Meter Readers, Utilities in Tennessee earn a median of $45,210 a year ($21.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 860 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,850 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $48,150. Tennessee ranks 28th of 39 states for meter readers, utilities pay. There are 0.26 meter readers, utilities per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for meter readers, utilities in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| 25th percentile | $38,820 | $18.67 |
| Median | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| 75th percentile | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,850 | $34.55 |
| Average (mean) | $48,930 | $23.53 |
Half of meter readers, utilities earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,767.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,883.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,738.85 |
| Weekly | $869.42 |
| Hourly | $21.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | $47,870 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,100 | 140 |
| Cleveland, TN | $46,560 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $45,210 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $44,700 | 180 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $43,740 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $40,780 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,880 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $39,090 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for meter readers, utilities
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $79,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,450 |
| Nevada | $76,120 |
| Minnesota | $73,930 |
| Colorado | $66,550 |
| Washington | $65,900 |
| Connecticut | $64,180 |
| Oregon | $63,660 |
| New Jersey | $63,030 |
| Alaska | $62,690 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $49,660 | $23.87 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $51,800 | $24.91 |
| Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators | $56,390 | $27.11 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Customer Service Representative | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Office Clerks, General | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $39,940 | $19.20 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meter readers, utilities make in Tennessee?
The median salary for meter readers, utilities in Tennessee is $45,210 a year, or $21.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid meter readers, utilities make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of meter readers, utilities in Tennessee earn at least $71,850 a year. The top 25% earn $61,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for meter readers, utilities in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,280 a year, and a quarter of meter readers, utilities earn $38,820 or less.
How many meter readers, utilities work in Tennessee?
About 860 meter readers, utilities are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.