Engineering Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Civil Engineer Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median civil engineer salary in Reading, PA is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
$-7,195
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

Civil Engineer Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $7,195 below the Pennsylvania state average of $86,342. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Reading pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Reading's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Reading spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Civil Engineer Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$91,739
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$84,544
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$83,644
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$75,550
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Reading

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Reading and the surrounding Pennsylvania area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Reading may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Reading

Browse open civil engineer positions in Reading, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Reading

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Reading earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Reading's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average of $86,342. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Reading, PA? ▼
Reading has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Reading? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Reading require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.