Engineering Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median nuclear engineer salary in Reading, PA is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$105,934
vs State Avg
$-9,631
vs National
$-14,446
Cost of Living
88%

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

Reading offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934, which is $9,631 below the Pennsylvania state average of $115,565. Compared to the national median of $120,380, 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 $105,934 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Reading spans from $66,880 at the 10th percentile to $156,640 at the 90th percentile — a $89,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,640, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,360. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $68,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,360
$-14,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,360
$-20,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $66,880
25th Percentile $84,480
Median (50th) $105,934
75th Percentile $130,240
90th Percentile $156,640

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$122,788
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$113,157
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$111,953
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$101,119
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Reading

Education

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

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear engineer 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 Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Reading

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Reading, PA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Reading

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $66,880 (10th percentile) to $156,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,934, a nuclear engineer in Reading earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Reading's median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 is 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average of $115,565. 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 nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Reading? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Reading require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.