Electrical Engineer Salary in Reading, PA: $106,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Reading, PA earns a median $106,241/year (≈ $51.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $109,459 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the average pay for electrical engineers is estimated to be $106,241 in 2026, a figure that highlights the area's competitive salary landscape. The salary range spans from $78,805 at the 10th percentile to $162,731 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market for engineers of varying experience levels. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and represent a significant opportunity for professionals in the field. Although Reading's median electrical engineer salary is lower than the national figure of $125,033 in 2026, the employment of roughly 260 electrical engineers demonstrates a stable demand for engineering talent in the region, particularly in industries that require specialized skills.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,805 | $37.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,221 | $40.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,241 | $51.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,731 | $78.24 |
Median Salary Position
15.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,926 (2026 est.). At $106,241, the local median is 15.03% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Reading median: $106,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $108,965 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -15.03% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $106,241 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,459 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,930
2025 BLS Actual
$102,500
2026 Current Est.
$106,241
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,119 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 17.9% from $86,930 (2019) to $102,500 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,119 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,189 (26.68%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,805 – $85,221 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,221 – $106,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,241 – $136,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $136,300 – $162,731 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Reading
One of the most notable aspects influencing the electrical engineer pay in Reading, PA, is the local cost of living index, which sits at 97.06, reflecting a market that is slightly more affordable than the national average. This economic reality can enhance the purchasing power of engineers residing in the area. Employers such as Intel and Nvidia, along with defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, typically offer some of the highest salaries for electrical engineers engaged in chip design and cleared work, respectively. The spread between lower and higher pay can be attributed to factors such as industry specialization and the associated security clearance premium. Additionally, earning a PhD can lead to higher compensation, while professionals may also consider the trade-off between an individual contributor (IC) path and management roles. To maximize earnings, electrical engineers in Reading should focus on continuous education, staying current with industry trends, and considering roles with companies that offer competitive benefits, such as those in the semiconductor and defense sectors.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Reading, PA in 2026?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $102,500 for electrical engineersin the Reading metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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