Mechanical Engineer salary in Reading, PA
Mechanical Engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $98,540 a year ($47.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,980 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 1% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,920. There are 2.4 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,510 | $31.02 |
| 25th percentile | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Median | $98,540 | $47.38 |
| 75th percentile | $121,920 | $58.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,980 | $62.49 |
| Average (mean) | $99,080 | $47.63 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $8,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,105.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,790 |
| Weekly | $1,895 |
| Hourly | $47.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $106,890 | 590 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $104,410 | 4,850 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $102,980 | 880 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $101,400 | 130 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $98,050 | 3,470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $95,000 | 470 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $94,160 | 690 |
| Lebanon, PA | $93,210 | 70 |
| State College, PA | $90,530 | 110 |
| Williamsport, PA | $86,110 | 90 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $83,920 | 360 |
| Lancaster, PA | $83,710 | 560 |
| Altoona, PA | $78,670 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $76,210 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical 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 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Reading, PA?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Reading, PA metro area is $98,540 a year, or $47.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $129,980 a year. The top 25% earn $121,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,510 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $77,900 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Reading, PA?
About 430 mechanical engineers are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.