Civil Engineer salary in Reading, PA
Civil Engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $98,890 a year ($47.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,660 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 1% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,850. There are 1.8 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $103,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,740 | $36.89 |
| 25th percentile | $78,050 | $37.53 |
| Median | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| 75th percentile | $125,730 | $60.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,660 | $71.95 |
| Average (mean) | $103,700 | $49.86 |
Half of civil 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 | $8,240.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,120.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,803.46 |
| Weekly | $1,901.73 |
| Hourly | $47.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $100,680 | 4,210 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $99,410 | 6,160 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $98,760 | 600 |
| Lancaster, PA | $97,780 | 540 |
| State College, PA | $96,110 | 160 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $95,730 | 450 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $95,040 | 400 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $93,830 | 1,370 |
| Altoona, PA | $93,680 | 220 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $92,580 | 60 |
| Williamsport, PA | $91,770 | 140 |
| Lebanon, PA | $80,550 | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $79,370 | 130 |
| Johnstown, PA | $77,550 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil 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 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| Chemical Engineer | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| 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 17-2051. 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 civil engineer make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Reading, PA metro area is $98,890 a year, or $47.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $149,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $149,660 a year. The top 25% earn $125,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,740 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $78,050 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Reading, PA?
About 320 civil engineers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.