Chemical Engineer salary in Reading, PA
Chemical Engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $100,190 a year ($48.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,790 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $125,040. Pay here is 14% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $116,970. There are 0.29 chemical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical engineers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| 25th percentile | $82,000 | $39.43 |
| Median | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| 75th percentile | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,790 | $79.23 |
| Average (mean) | $107,820 | $51.84 |
Half of chemical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,853.46 |
| Weekly | $1,926.73 |
| Hourly | $48.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $152,290 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $127,770 | 790 |
Highest-paying states for chemical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $158,190 |
| Virginia | $136,380 |
| Alabama | $135,030 |
| Louisiana | $134,800 |
| Delaware | $133,670 |
| Texas | $132,750 |
| West Virginia | $129,210 |
| New York | $129,060 |
| Washington | $128,290 |
| Oklahoma | $127,790 |
See Chemical Engineer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,520 | $47.85 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,540 | $47.38 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| Materials Engineer | $99,040 | $47.61 |
| Engineers, All Other | $118,870 | $57.15 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,970 | $29.80 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Surveyor | $64,150 | $30.84 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,330 | $46.79 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,480 | $30.52 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chemical engineer make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for chemical engineers in the Reading, PA metro area is $100,190 a year, or $48.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical engineers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of chemical engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $164,790 a year. The top 25% earn $100,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical engineers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,220 a year, and a quarter of chemical engineers earn $82,000 or less.
How many chemical engineers work in Reading, PA?
About 50 chemical engineers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.