SOC 43-5041 · Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro

Meter Readers, Utilities Salary in Buffalo, NY

The average salary for meter readers, utilities in Buffalo, New York is $54,380 a year ($26.14 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $56,860: half of the 50 people in this job in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($55,380).

$54,380average per year

$26.14 / hourMedian $56,860Take-home ≈ $43,488

  • $41K10th
  • $41K25th
  • $57KMedian
  • $62K75th
  • $74K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

50people in this job
-2%vs U.S. average
#3 of 4New York metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Meter Readers, Utilities pay range in Buffalo

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,910 a year or less, while the top 10% make $73,620 or more. The middle half of meter readers, utilities in Buffalo earn between $40,920 and $61,840.

  • $41K10th
  • $41K25th
  • $57KMedian
  • $62K75th
  • $74K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$54,380$4,532$26.14
Median$56,860$4,738$27.34
Entry level (25th percentile)$40,920$3,410$19.67
Experienced (75th percentile)$61,840$5,153$29.73

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Meter Readers, Utilities pay in Buffalo vs. New York and the U.S.

Meter readers, utilities in Buffalo earn 15% less than the New York average ($64,020) and about the same as the U.S. average ($55,380). At the median the gap is +18% against the U.S. median of $48,150.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Buffalo$54,380$56,860$40,910$73,62050
New York$64,020$56,960$39,630$108,190930
United States$55,380$48,150$34,720$85,93019,430

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Meter Readers, Utilities salary after taxes in Buffalo

On the average salary of $54,380, a single filer in Buffalo takes home about $43,488 a year, or $3,624 a month and $1,673 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.

New York paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Buffalo a good place for meter readers, utilities? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Buffalo area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.8), so the average $54,380 buys what about $56,738 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Buffalo ($50,790). A typical home costs $288,316, or 5.3 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $54,380 is worth in another city

Meter Readers, Utilities salary in other New York cities

Buffalo ranks 3rd of 4 New York metro areas for this job; New York pays the most ($71,500).

All Meter Readers, Utilities salaries in New York

Highest-paying cities for meter readers, utilities

San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($98,850).

Meter Readers, Utilities salary by city

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Meter Readers, Utilities salary in Buffalo: questions

How much do meter readers, utilities make an hour in Buffalo?

$26.14 an hour on average, and $27.34 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level meter readers, utilities salary in Buffalo?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $40,910 a year and the 25th percentile is $40,920, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the meter readers, utilities take-home pay in Buffalo?

About $43,488 a year ($3,624 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $54,380. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.

Do meter readers, utilities earn more in Buffalo than elsewhere?

The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($55,380).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-5041; area Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY (15380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.9%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.76, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.76).

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