Meter Readers, Utilities pay range in Charleston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,480 a year or less, while the top 10% make $62,550 or more. The middle half of meter readers, utilities in Charleston earn between $48,980 and $58,530.
- $38K10th
- $49K25th
- $51KMedian
- $59K75th
- $63K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $51,860 | $4,322 | $24.93 |
| Median | $50,570 | $4,214 | $24.31 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $48,980 | $4,082 | $23.55 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $58,530 | $4,878 | $28.14 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Meter Readers, Utilities pay in Charleston vs. South Carolina and the U.S.
Meter readers, utilities in Charleston earn 8% more than the South Carolina average ($47,910) and 6% less than the U.S. average ($55,380). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $48,150.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $51,860 | $50,570 | $38,480 | $62,550 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $47,910 | $47,850 | $32,570 | $63,090 | 410 |
| United States | $55,380 | $48,150 | $34,720 | $85,930 | 19,430 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary after taxes in Charleston
On the average salary of $51,860, a single filer in Charleston takes home about $42,727 a year, or $3,561 a month and $1,643 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Charleston a good place for meter readers, utilities? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Charleston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.0), so the average $51,860 buys what about $51,366 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Charleston ($49,150). A typical home costs $435,877, or 8.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary in other South Carolina cities
Charleston ranks 1st of 4 South Carolina metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Charleston$51,860
- Greenville$49,100
- Myrtle Beach$47,320
- Columbia$46,920
Highest-paying cities for meter readers, utilities
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($98,850).
- San Francisco, CA$98,850
- Omaha, NE$83,350
- Reno, NV$82,320
- Seattle, WA$81,610
- Sacramento, CA$79,570
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Meter Readers, Utilities salary in Charleston: questions
How much do meter readers, utilities make an hour in Charleston?
$24.94 an hour on average, and $24.31 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level meter readers, utilities salary in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,480 a year and the 25th percentile is $48,980, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the meter readers, utilities take-home pay in Charleston?
About $42,727 a year ($3,561 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $51,860.
Do meter readers, utilities earn more in Charleston than elsewhere?
The average here is 6% less than 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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC (16700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.8%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.95, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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