Machinist salary in Reading, PA
Machinists in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $59,550 a year ($28.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,400 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,750. Pay here is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $57,810. There are 2.5 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,860, close to the median.
Pay range for machinists in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,000 | $21.16 |
| 25th percentile | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Median | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| 75th percentile | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,400 | $35.29 |
| Average (mean) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,290.38 |
| Weekly | $1,145.19 |
| Hourly | $28.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,280 | 3,330 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,330 | 630 |
| Williamsport, PA | $58,250 | 80 |
| Lancaster, PA | $56,700 | 560 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $56,070 | 360 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,880 | 2,760 |
| Erie, PA | $55,120 | 640 |
| Johnstown, PA | $54,910 | 150 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $53,290 | 540 |
| Altoona, PA | $52,660 | 120 |
| Lebanon, PA | $52,620 | 170 |
| State College, PA | $50,900 | 120 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $49,850 | 430 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $48,400 | 190 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $46,570 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
See Machinist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for machinists in the Reading, PA metro area is $59,550 a year, or $28.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of machinists in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $73,400 a year. The top 25% earn $65,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,000 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $49,420 or less.
How many machinists work in Reading, PA?
About 440 machinists are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.