Materials Engineer salary in Reading, PA
Materials Engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $99,040 a year ($47.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,630 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $112,860. Pay here is 1% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $98,030. There are 0.27 materials engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for materials engineers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,070 | $32.24 |
| 25th percentile | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Median | $99,040 | $47.61 |
| 75th percentile | $122,410 | $58.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,630 | $73.38 |
| Average (mean) | $107,120 | $51.50 |
Half of materials 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 | $8,253.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,126.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,809.23 |
| Weekly | $1,904.62 |
| Hourly | $47.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Materials Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $125,190 | 320 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $116,510 | 30 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $98,440 | 40 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $92,740 | 120 |
| Lancaster, PA | $79,270 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for materials engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $165,600 |
| Maryland | $140,640 |
| Washington | $139,840 |
| Delaware | $131,320 |
| Louisiana | $128,670 |
| California | $128,470 |
| Illinois | $126,620 |
| New York | $125,900 |
| Colorado | $124,030 |
| Alaska | $123,360 |
See Materials 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 |
| Chemical Engineer | $100,190 | $48.17 |
| 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 17-2131. 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 materials engineer make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for materials engineers in the Reading, PA metro area is $99,040 a year, or $47.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid materials engineers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of materials engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $152,630 a year. The top 25% earn $122,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for materials engineers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,070 a year, and a quarter of materials engineers earn $79,360 or less.
How many materials engineers work in Reading, PA?
About 50 materials engineers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.