SOC 43-5041 · McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro

Meter Readers, Utilities Salary in McAllen, TX

The average salary for meter readers, utilities in McAllen, Texas is $34,020 a year ($16.36 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $31,190: half of the 50 people in this job in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 41% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($57,282).

$34,020average per year

$16.36 / hourMedian $31,190Take-home ≈ $29,515

  • $28K10th
  • $30K25th
  • $31KMedian
  • $36K75th
  • $38K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

50people in this job
-41%vs U.S. metro average
#7 of 7Texas metros
86cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Meter Readers, Utilities pay range in McAllen

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,920 a year or less, while the top 10% make $38,290 or more. The middle half of meter readers, utilities in McAllen earn between $30,040 and $36,110.

  • $28K10th
  • $30K25th
  • $31KMedian
  • $36K75th
  • $38K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$34,020$2,835$16.36
Median$31,190$2,599$15.00
Entry level (25th percentile)$30,040$2,503$14.44
Experienced (75th percentile)$36,110$3,009$17.36

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

Meter Readers, Utilities salary after taxes in McAllen

On the average salary of $34,020, a single filer in McAllen takes home about $29,515 a year, or $2,460 a month and $1,135 every two weeks. Taxes take 13% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.

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

Prices in the McAllen area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9), so the average $34,020 buys what about $39,606 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in McAllen ($35,830). A typical home costs $193,978, or 5.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $34,020 is worth in another city

Meter Readers, Utilities salary in other Texas cities

McAllen ranks 7th of 7 Texas metro areas for this job; Houston pays the most ($47,980).

All Meter Readers, Utilities salaries in Texas

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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Reviewed before it counts. Meter Readers, Utilities in McAllen, TX.

Meter Readers, Utilities salary in McAllen: questions

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

$16.36 an hour on average, and $14.99 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,920 a year and the 25th percentile is $30,040, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $29,515 a year ($2,460 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $34,020. Texas has no state income tax.

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

The average here is 41% less than the U.S. metro average for this job ($57,282).

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 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX (32580). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
  • 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 no state income tax.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.45, this job is 1.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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