Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Meter Readers, Utilities actually take home in Washington?
No state income tax — 17.3% 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 $65,900 in Washington (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $65,900 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$6,339 | 9.6% |
| Washington State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$4,085 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$955 | 1.4% |
| Total Taxes | -$11,380 | 17.3% |
| Take-Home Pay | $54,519 | 82.7% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $42,300 | -$6,327 | $35,972 | 15.0% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $59,990 | -$9,804 | $50,185 | 16.3% |
| Median (P50) | $65,900 | -$11,380 | $54,519 | 17.3% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $78,970 | -$15,255 | $63,714 | 19.3% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $106,330 | -$23,367 | $82,962 | 22.0% |
Washington has no state income tax, which means a Meter Readers, Utilities keeps $54,519 of their $65,900 salary — 82.7% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Washington one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington faces an effective total tax rate of only 17.3%, keeping 82.7% of every gross dollar. That leaves $54,520 net out of $65,900 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Washington 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 income tax ($6,339) accounts for 56% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $5,041 (44%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
For Meter Readers, Utilities after-tax pay, Washington ranks #5 of 39 states — top quartile. High gross wages or low state-tax burden (or both) drive the strong ranking.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $54,520 net/year works out to $4,543/month or $2,097/bi-weekly for this Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington — 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.
Washington ranks #5 out of 39 states for Meter Readers, Utilities after-tax take-home pay.
A Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington earning a median salary of $65,900 will take home approximately $54,519 per year after federal income tax ($6,339), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($5,041). That is $4,543 per month or $2,096 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington is 17.3%, broken down as: federal income tax 9.6%, Washington state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Washington does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington 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 17.3%.
After all taxes, a Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington takes home approximately $4,543 per month, or about $26.21 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 $65,900 for Meter Readers, Utilities in Washington, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Washington state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $54,519/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