Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Meter Readers, Utilities actually take home in Texas?
No state income tax — 15.0% 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 $43,030 in Texas (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $43,030 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$3,179 | 7.4% |
| Texas State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$2,667 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$623 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$6,471 | 15.0% |
| Take-Home Pay | $36,558 | 85.0% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $31,030 | -$4,113 | $26,916 | 13.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $37,570 | -$5,398 | $32,171 | 14.4% |
| Median (P50) | $43,030 | -$6,471 | $36,558 | 15.0% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $48,690 | -$7,583 | $41,106 | 15.6% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $60,360 | -$9,876 | $50,483 | 16.4% |
Texas has no state income tax, which means a Meter Readers, Utilities keeps $36,558 of their $43,030 salary — 85.0% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Texas one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas faces an effective total tax rate of only 15.0%, keeping 85.0% of every gross dollar. That leaves $36,559 net out of $43,030 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Texas is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Meter Readers, Utilities, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal tax on this Meter Readers, Utilities salary is $3,180 (49%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($3,292, 51%) make up the other 51% of the bill.
Texas ranks #29 of 39 states for Meter Readers, Utilities after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $36,559 net/year works out to $3,047/month or $1,406/bi-weekly for this Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas — 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.
Texas ranks #29 out of 39 states for Meter Readers, Utilities after-tax take-home pay.
A Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas earning a median salary of $43,030 will take home approximately $36,558 per year after federal income tax ($3,179), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($3,291). That is $3,046 per month or $1,406 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas is 15.0%, broken down as: federal income tax 7.4%, Texas state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Texas does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 15.0%.
After all taxes, a Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas takes home approximately $3,046 per month, or about $17.58 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 $43,030 for Meter Readers, Utilities in Texas, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Texas state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $36,558/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