Civil Engineer Salary in Reading, PA: $101,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Reading, PA earns a median $101,491/year (≈ $48.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, civil engineers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $101,491 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, spanning from $78,758 at the lower end to $153,596 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The difference in salary is frequently influenced by various factors, including the progression from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, which can significantly enhance earning potential and career advancement. As Reading continues to evolve, the job market for civil engineers remains competitive, highlighting the value of credentials and advanced skills in driving compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,758 | $37.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,103 | $38.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,491 | $48.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,037 | $62.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,596 | $73.84 |
Median Salary Position
1.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,838 (2026 est.). At $101,491, the local median is 1.93% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Reading median: $101,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $97,494 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -1.93% less |
Civil Engineers in Reading, PA earn a median of $101,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.93% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $97,494.
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 civil engineer earning $101,491 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,565 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,460
2025 BLS Actual
$98,890
2026 Current Est.
$101,491
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,160 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 10.5% from $89,460 (2019) to $98,890 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,160 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,700 (16.43%) 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 2.63% 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) | $78,758 – $80,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,103 – $101,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,491 – $129,037 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,037 – $153,596 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Reading
With approximately 320 civil engineers employed in the Reading area, the local market is healthy, providing various job opportunities across multiple sectors. The cost of living index in Reading stands at 97.06, below the national average, which positively impacts the purchasing power of civil engineer salaries. Leading employers include prestigious firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, along with construction giants like Bechtel and Kiewit, which tend to offer more competitive pay. The salary variance in Reading often reflects the PE license status and specialized skills in high-demand fields such as structural or transportation engineering. As federal infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to flow, civil engineers can strategically position themselves in thriving sectors. To maximize earning potential in this market, professionals should prioritize obtaining a PE license, seek roles that leverage specialized skills, and consider employment within top-tier consulting firms or government agencies, which generally provide higher compensation options.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
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 $98,890 for civil engineersin the Reading metropolitan area. A 2.63% 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 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov