Business & Finance Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Economist Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median economist salary in Reading, PA is $104,825 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 8% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$104,825
vs State Avg
$-9,115
vs National
$-9,115
Cost of Living
88%

Economist Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median economist salary of $104,825, which is $9,115 below the Pennsylvania state average of $113,940. Compared to the national median of $113,940, 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 $104,825 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $119,119 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Reading spans from $57,040 at the 10th percentile to $182,160 at the 90th percentile — a $125,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,800, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,200. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level economist earns around $59,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,800
$-9,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,200
$-14,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $57,040
25th Percentile $75,440
Median (50th) $104,825
75th Percentile $142,600
90th Percentile $182,160

Economist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$120,776
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$111,661
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$110,522
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$100,267
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Economist in Reading

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Reading and the surrounding Pennsylvania area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Reading may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Reading

Browse open economist positions in Reading, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Reading

How much does a Economist make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median economist salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $104,825 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $57,040 (10th percentile) to $182,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,825, a economist in Reading earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for economist pay? ▼
Reading's median economist salary of $104,825 is 8% below the Pennsylvania state average of $113,940. 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 economist salary of $104,825 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Reading? ▼
Most economist positions in Reading require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.