Meter Readers, Utilities pay range in Columbia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,150 a year or less, while the top 10% make $65,770 or more. The middle half of meter readers, utilities in Columbia earn between $39,330 and $53,250.
- $36K10th
- $39K25th
- $43KMedian
- $53K75th
- $66K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $46,920 | $3,910 | $22.56 |
| Median | $43,270 | $3,606 | $20.80 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $39,330 | $3,278 | $18.91 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $53,250 | $4,438 | $25.60 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Meter Readers, Utilities pay in Columbia vs. South Carolina and the U.S.
Meter readers, utilities in Columbia earn about the same as the South Carolina average ($47,910) and 15% less than the U.S. average ($55,380). At the median the gap is -10% against the U.S. median of $48,150.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $46,920 | $43,270 | $36,150 | $65,770 | 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 Columbia
On the average salary of $46,920, a single filer in Columbia takes home about $39,085 a year, or $3,257 a month and $1,503 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Columbia a good place for meter readers, utilities? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Columbia area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.7), so the average $46,920 buys what about $50,095 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Columbia ($46,430). A typical home costs $256,154, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Meter Readers, Utilities salary in other South Carolina cities
Columbia ranks 4th of 4 South Carolina metro areas for this job; Charleston pays the most ($51,860).
- 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 Columbia: questions
How much do meter readers, utilities make an hour in Columbia?
$22.56 an hour on average, and $20.80 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level meter readers, utilities salary in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,150 a year and the 25th percentile is $39,330, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the meter readers, utilities take-home pay in Columbia?
About $39,085 a year ($3,257 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $46,920.
Do meter readers, utilities earn more in Columbia than elsewhere?
The average here is 15% 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 Columbia, SC (17900). 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.08, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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