Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay in Reading, PA: $51.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrical engineer working in Reading, PA runs $51.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,241 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Weighted against Reading's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,746 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the electrical engineer hourly pay is projected to be $51.08 in 2026, which is lower than the national hourly median of $60.11. This figure reflects a competitive landscape within local sectors, ranging from high-tech environments like semiconductor fabrication clean rooms to utility substation engineering. For engineers opting for part-time roles—working, for instance, three days a week—this median pay translates into a stable income, providing flexibility for personal projects or further studies. Entry-level engineers in Reading can expect to earn around $37.88 per hour, while seasoned professionals may command up to $78.24 per hour. These hourly rates are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, providing a clear benchmark for those contemplating careers in this field.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.88 | $303.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.97 | $327.78 |
| Median (P50) | $51.08 | $408.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.53 | $524.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.24 | $625.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reading
Based on $51.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.08/hr, a electrical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reading, PA can expect to earn approximately $106,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,294. With a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Reading.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reading
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,043.15 | $8,854 | $106,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,225.89 | $5,312 | $63,746 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $817.26 | $3,541 | $42,497 |
Compare EE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer (Reading) | $51.08 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer (National Avg) | $69.00 |
| Electronics Engineer (National Avg) | $58.25 |
| Electrical Engineering Technician (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Electrical Engineers in Reading, PA earn a median of $106,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.03% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 2.50% below the Pennsylvania state average of $108,965.
Electrical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.08/hr = $63,746/year (purchasing power: $65,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,244/year (purchasing power: $109,462).
CoL index: 97.06 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electrical engineers in Reading grew 17.9% from $41.80/hr (2019) to $49.28/hr (2025). At a 3.65% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.94/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electrical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrical Engineer in Reading
Evaluating the potential earnings for part-time electrical engineers reveals intriguing contrasts. For instance, working just 24 hours a week at this hourly pay can result in an annual income of approximately $53,516, significantly less than what full-time employees earn. In contrast, per diem electrical engineers can see drastically different income potential, billing between $90 and $170 per hour for short-term contracts, which may include specialized consultancy roles in chip design or expert witness services, reaching as high as $600 an hour. Various employer types in Reading shape these differences in pay; tech companies like Apple and Intel may offer the highest compensation compared to utility firms, where benefits could create a softer overall package. Therefore, engineers must weigh the stability and health insurance benefits from full-time positions against the allure of higher hourly wages in contract work—something to keep in mind during salary negotiations.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for electrical engineers in Reading in 2026?
How much do part-time electrical engineers make in Reading?
Are electrical engineers in Reading paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time electrical engineer make per year in Reading?
Do electrical engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Reading?
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electrical engineers in Reading. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov