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Average salary by job family in Reading
| Management | $125,110 |
|---|---|
| Legal | $115,480 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $106,510 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $95,970 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $94,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $82,850 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $81,540 |
| Construction and Extraction | $65,270 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $63,530 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $62,900 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $61,190 |
| Protective Service | $57,520 |
| Community and Social Service | $56,830 |
| Production | $52,570 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $49,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $47,190 |
| Sales and Related | $46,690 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $40,030 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $39,020 |
| Personal Care and Service | $38,320 |
| Healthcare Support | $37,440 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $33,240 |
Highest-paying jobs in Reading
- Chief Executives$299,000
- Physicians, All Other$190,380
- Dentists, General$180,520
- Personal Financial Advisors$177,490
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$163,170
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$157,080
- Veterinarians$156,290
- Financial Managers$154,960
- Commercial Pilots$153,460
- Lawyers$148,690
Most common jobs in Reading and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 5,820 | $31,930 | $29,830 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 5,280 | $45,020 | $46,040 |
| Retail Salespersons | 4,430 | $34,970 | $33,010 |
| General and Operations Managers | 4,290 | $119,980 | $99,920 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 4,280 | $28,670 | $28,090 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 4,190 | $40,010 | $37,990 |
| Cashiers | 3,670 | $29,880 | $29,260 |
| Registered Nurses | 3,430 | $96,790 | $98,470 |
| Office Clerks, General | 3,260 | $46,690 | $46,820 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 3,050 | $44,500 | $45,860 |
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Cost of living in Reading
Prices in the Reading area are 3% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 97.1 for 2024. The average local salary of $60,950 therefore buys what $62,796 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $312,348, 4.0 times the median household income of $77,684.
$312,348typical home value
$77,684median household income
97.1BEA price parity
429,989metro population
Take-home pay in Reading
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $36,940 | $30,727 | $2,561 |
| Median wage | $49,440 | $40,387 | $3,366 |
| Average wage | $60,950 | $49,282 | $4,107 |
| 75th percentile wage | $70,720 | $56,410 | $4,701 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Salaries for every job in Reading
Management25 jobs
- Chief Executives$299K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$163K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$157K
- Financial Managers$155K
- Sales Managers$141K
- Human Resources Managers$139K
- Marketing Managers$137K
- Natural Sciences Managers$133K
- Purchasing Managers$130K
- Managers, All Other$127K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$122K
- Industrial Production Managers$121K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$120K
- General and Operations Managers$120K
- Public Relations Managers$118K
- Construction Managers$117K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$117K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$113K
- Administrative Services Managers$110K
- Fundraising Managers$108K
- Facilities Managers$100K
- Social and Community Service Managers$77K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$75K
- Food Service Managers$68K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$56K
Legal4 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical33 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$190K
- Dentists, General$181K
- Veterinarians$156K
- Pharmacists$144K
- Optometrists$142K
- Nurse Practitioners$133K
- Physician Assistants$131K
- Nurse Midwives$126K
- Physical Therapists$102K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$98K
- Registered Nurses$97K
- Occupational Therapists$94K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$93K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$90K
- Respiratory Therapists$88K
- Chiropractors$86K
- Dental Hygienists$82K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$78K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$75K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$70K
- Athletic Trainers$68K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$67K
- Paramedics$61K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$59K
- Medical Records Specialists$58K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$53K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$45K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$44K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$44K
- Opticians, Dispensing$44K
- Psychiatric Technicians$41K
- Pharmacy Technicians$40K
- Dietetic Technicians$36K
Computer and Mathematical13 jobs
- Database Architects$140K
- Computer Network Architects$120K
- Software Developers$119K
- Information Security Analysts$107K
- Data Scientists$106K
- Computer Systems Analysts$101K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$100K
- Computer Programmers$97K
- Database Administrators$95K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$95K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$86K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$73K
- Computer User Support Specialists$62K
Architecture and Engineering16 jobs
- Engineers, All Other$116K
- Electrical Engineers$112K
- Chemical Engineers$108K
- Materials Engineers$107K
- Civil Engineers$104K
- Industrial Engineers$102K
- Mechanical Engineers$99K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$99K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$80K
- Surveyors$76K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$75K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$72K
- Mechanical Drafters$70K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$67K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$66K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$65K
Business and Financial Operations24 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$177K
- Management Analysts$105K
- Project Management Specialists$101K
- Labor Relations Specialists$89K
- Budget Analysts$88K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$84K
- Cost Estimators$83K
- Financial Examiners$83K
- Accountants and Auditors$81K
- Credit Analysts$81K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$81K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$80K
- Loan Officers$80K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$79K
- Logisticians$78K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$75K
- Human Resources Specialists$74K
- Compliance Officers$73K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$73K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$72K
- Fundraisers$70K
- Training and Development Specialists$67K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$58K
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$48K
Life, Physical, and Social Science12 jobs
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$106K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$97K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$95K
- Chemists$94K
- Urban and Regional Planners$85K
- School Psychologists$84K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$77K
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$63K
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$63K
- Conservation Scientists$61K
- Chemical Technicians$60K
- Biological Technicians$50K
Construction and Extraction17 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$85K
- Sheet Metal Workers$80K
- Electricians$77K
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons$72K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$72K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$70K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$68K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$68K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$60K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$57K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$57K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$57K
- Carpenters$57K
- Roofers$56K
- Construction Laborers$53K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$52K
- Helpers--Electricians$37K
Educational Instruction and Library27 jobs
- History Teachers, Postsecondary$97K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$89K
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$89K
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$88K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$84K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$84K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$80K
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$79K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$79K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$78K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$77K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$76K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$76K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$76K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$76K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$75K
- Instructional Coordinators$74K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$73K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$67K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$58K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$52K
- Tutors$48K
- Library Technicians$45K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$43K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$42K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair21 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$87K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$77K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$77K
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$73K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$71K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$67K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$66K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$65K
- Millwrights$65K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$64K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$59K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$58K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$55K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$55K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$54K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$50K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$48K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$46K
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians$46K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$43K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$38K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media11 jobs
Protective Service13 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$104K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$95K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$86K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$70K
- Firefighters$66K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$59K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$51K
- Parking Enforcement Workers$42K
- Security Guards$40K
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$37K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$34K
- School Bus Monitors$34K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27K
Community and Social Service10 jobs
- Health Education Specialists$79K
- Healthcare Social Workers$68K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$65K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$64K
- Clergy$59K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$57K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$52K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$52K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$46K
Production50 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$76K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$74K
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$71K
- Tool and Die Makers$67K
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$67K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$63K
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators$59K
- Machinists$58K
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$56K
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$56K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$56K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$55K
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$55K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$55K
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$54K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$53K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$53K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$52K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$52K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52K
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$52K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$51K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$51K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51K
- Furniture Finishers$50K
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$50K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48K
- Printing Press Operators$48K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$47K
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers$47K
- Helpers--Production Workers$46K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$45K
- Pourers and Casters, Metal$45K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44K
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders$43K
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$43K
- Food Batchmakers$42K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$41K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$41K
- Sewing Machine Operators$37K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$37K
- Bakers$35K
Office and Administrative Support38 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$72K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$70K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$64K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$63K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$62K
- Postal Service Clerks$62K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$60K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$57K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$57K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$56K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$55K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$54K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$54K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$54K
- Procurement Clerks$53K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$52K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$50K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$50K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$49K
- Order Clerks$48K
- Bill and Account Collectors$48K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$48K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$47K
- Office Clerks, General$47K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$46K
- Word Processors and Typists$46K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$45K
- Customer Service Representatives$45K
- Tellers$44K
- Data Entry Keyers$43K
- File Clerks$41K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$39K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$37K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$37K
- Couriers and Messengers$36K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$32K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$28K
Transportation and Material Moving18 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$153K
- Crane and Tower Operators$82K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$64K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$60K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$52K
- Bus Drivers, School$47K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$46K
- Light Truck Drivers$45K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$45K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$45K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$41K
- Driver/Sales Workers$40K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$40K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34K
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$34K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$34K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$33K
- Parking Attendants$32K
Sales and Related17 jobs
- Sales Engineers$98K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$89K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$88K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$87K
- Insurance Sales Agents$82K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$76K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$73K
- Advertising Sales Agents$64K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$61K
- Travel Agents$57K
- Real Estate Brokers$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$51K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$44K
- Parts Salespersons$43K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$38K
- Retail Salespersons$35K
- Cashiers$30K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$49K
- Pest Control Workers$43K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$41K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$38K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$33K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Personal Care and Service15 jobs
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$71K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$52K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$49K
- Skincare Specialists$47K
- Concierges$45K
- Residential Advisors$44K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$44K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$42K
- Funeral Attendants$38K
- Recreation Workers$36K
- Animal Caretakers$34K
- Childcare Workers$31K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$30K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$28K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26K
Healthcare Support13 jobs
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$70K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$68K
- Massage Therapists$61K
- Dental Assistants$49K
- Phlebotomists$45K
- Medical Assistants$45K
- Nursing Assistants$44K
- Psychiatric Aides$44K
- Orderlies$43K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$43K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$39K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$37K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$32K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$70K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$42K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$37K
- Cooks, All Other$37K
- Waiters and Waitresses$36K
- Bartenders$35K
- Cooks, Restaurant$35K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$33K
- Food Preparation Workers$32K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$30K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$29K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28K
- Dishwashers$27K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Reading: questions
What is a good salary in Reading?
Half of all workers in the Reading metro earn less than $49,440 and the average is $60,950. Earning more than $70,720 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Reading to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $68,671, because prices here are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.1).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Reading?
Chief Executives ($299,000), Physicians, All Other ($190,380), Dentists, General ($180,520).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Reading, PA (39740), all occupations and 398 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.