Public Service Reading, PA Pop. 95,112

Police Officer Salary in Reading, Pennsylvania

The median police officer salary in Reading, PA is $57,895 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$57,895
vs State Avg
$-5,263
vs National
$-7,895
Cost of Living
88%

Police Officer Pay in Reading: What to Expect (2026)

Reading offers a median police officer salary of $57,895, which is $5,263 below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,158. Compared to the national median of $65,790, 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 $57,895 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $65,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Reading an attractive option for police officers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for police officers in Reading spans from $35,552 at the 10th percentile to $93,280 at the 90th percentile — a $57,728 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,960, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $86,240. Reading is a smaller market (pop. 95,112), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Police Officer Salary in Reading by Experience

In Reading, an entry-level police officer earns around $36,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $86,240 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,960
$-5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,080
$-7,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$86,240
$-11,760 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Reading, PA

Percentile Reading
10th Percentile $35,552
25th Percentile $45,056
Median (50th) $57,895
75th Percentile $76,736
90th Percentile $93,280

Police Officer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$67,106
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$61,843
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$61,185
Pop. 302,971
Erie, PA
$55,264
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Police Officer in Reading

Education

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

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Reading may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Reading

Browse open police officer positions in Reading, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Reading

How much does a Police Officer make in Reading, PA? ▼
The median police officer salary in Reading, Pennsylvania is $57,895 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $35,552 (10th percentile) to $93,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Reading? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $57,895, a police officer in Reading earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Reading compare to the Pennsylvania state average for police officer pay? ▼
Reading's median police officer salary of $57,895 is 8.3% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,158. 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 police officer salary of $57,895 in Reading has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Reading? ▼
Most police officer positions in Reading require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.