Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Meter Readers, Utilities actually take home in Arkansas?
Progressive (up to 4.4%) — 18.4% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Meter Readers, Utilities earning $37,340 in Arkansas (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $37,340 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$2,496 | 6.7% |
| Arkansas State Income Tax | -$1,522 | 4.1% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$2,315 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$541 | 1.4% |
| Total Taxes | -$6,876 | 18.4% |
| Take-Home Pay | $30,463 | 81.6% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $22,880 | -$3,465 | $19,414 | 15.1% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $30,060 | -$5,125 | $24,934 | 17.1% |
| Median (P50) | $37,340 | -$6,876 | $30,463 | 18.4% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $46,780 | -$9,146 | $37,633 | 19.6% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $66,000 | -$14,194 | $51,806 | 21.5% |
After federal income tax ($2,496), state tax ($1,522), and FICA ($2,856), a Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas takes home $30,463 per year — or $2,538 per month. The effective tax rate of 18.4% is relatively low compared to the national range.
A Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas faces an effective total tax rate of only 18.4%, keeping 81.6% of every gross dollar. That leaves $30,464 net out of $37,340 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Arkansas uses a progressive state income tax, so brackets escalate as wages rise. For this Meter Readers, Utilities salary the state tax works out to $1,523 (4.1% effective) — on top of federal and FICA.
Federal tax on this Meter Readers, Utilities salary is $2,497 (36%), but combined state ($1,523, 22%) + FICA ($2,857, 42%) make up the other 64% of the bill.
A Meter Readers, Utilities earning this gross in a no-income-tax state (e.g., Texas, Florida) would take home approximately $31,987 — only $1,523 (5.0%) more than in Arkansas.
Arkansas sits near the bottom (#39 of 39) for Meter Readers, Utilities after-tax earnings. Relocation, negotiation, or credential stacking typically show the clearest ROI in bottom-quartile states.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $30,464 net/year works out to $2,539/month or $1,172/bi-weekly for this Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Meter Readers, Utilities keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Arkansas ranks #39 out of 39 states for Meter Readers, Utilities after-tax take-home pay.
A Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas earning a median salary of $37,340 will take home approximately $30,463 per year after federal income tax ($2,496), state income tax ($1,522), and FICA ($2,856). That is $2,538 per month or $1,171 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas is 18.4%, broken down as: federal income tax 6.7%, Arkansas state tax 4.1%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
Arkansas has a progressive (up to 4.4%). On a Meter Readers, Utilities's median salary of $37,340, the state income tax amounts to $1,522 per year, which is an effective state rate of 4.1%.
After all taxes, a Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas takes home approximately $2,538 per month, or about $14.65 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $37,340 for Meter Readers, Utilities in Arkansas, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Arkansas state income tax (progressive (up to 4.4%)), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $30,463/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR