Trades & Labor Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Machinist Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median machinist salary in Reading, PA is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$43,006
vs State Avg
$-3,909
vs National
$-5,864
Cost of Living
88%

Machinist Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median machinist salary of $43,006, which is $3,909 below the Pennsylvania state average of $46,915. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $43,006 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Reading spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $65,120 at the 90th percentile — a $36,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,920, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,360. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level machinist earns around $29,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,920
$-4,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$44,000
$-6,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,360
$-8,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $34,320
Median (50th) $43,006
75th Percentile $53,680
90th Percentile $65,120

Machinist Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$49,847
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$45,938
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$45,449
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$41,051
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Machinist in Reading

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Reading and the surrounding Pennsylvania area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Reading may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Reading

Browse open machinist positions in Reading, PA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Reading

How much does a Machinist make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median machinist salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $43,006 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $65,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $43,006, a machinist in Reading earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for machinist pay? ▼
Reading's median machinist salary of $43,006 is 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average of $46,915. 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 machinist salary of $43,006 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Reading? ▼
Most machinist positions in Reading require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.