Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Reading, PA: $48.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Reading, PA runs $48.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Reading's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,890 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the typical civil engineer earns a median hourly rate of $48.79, which slightly trails the national median of $49.76. This hourly pay is particularly significant for civil engineers working part-time, such as those opting for a three-day workweek, as they may experience flexibility while still earning a competitive rate. For per-diem workers in the field, who typically operate in collaborative environments—whether in consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations or out in the field at construction sites—the hourly income can fluctuate widely. Entry-level professionals might earn around $37.86 per hour, while seasoned experts can command rates as high as $73.84. These figures reflect official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlighting Reading's competitive civil engineer hourly pay, amidst a dynamic local job market influenced by ongoing infrastructure projects.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.86 | $302.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.52 | $308.14 |
| Median (P50) | $48.79 | $390.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.04 | $496.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.84 | $590.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reading
Based on $48.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.79/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reading, PA can expect to earn approximately $101,484 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,548. 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) | $1,951.61 | $8,457 | $101,484 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.97 | $5,074 | $60,890 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.64 | $3,383 | $40,594 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Reading) | $48.79 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
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.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.79/hr = $60,890/year (purchasing power: $62,735).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,484/year (purchasing power: $104,558).
CoL index: 97.06 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Reading grew 10.5% from $43.01/hr (2019) to $47.54/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.07/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil 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 2.63% 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 Civil Engineer in Reading
A part-time civil engineer working 24 hours a week in Reading could realistically take home about $61,033 annually, providing a solid income without the commitment of a full-time role. For those engaged in per-diem contracts, the billing potential drastically increases, especially for licensed civil engineers working on a 1099 basis—rates can reach $100 to $180 per hour for standard work, and even climb to $250 to $500 per hour for specialized consulting or expert witness services. In Reading, hourly rates significantly vary based on the employer type; major engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer structured salaries, while larger construction companies like Bechtel or Fluor may provide competitive hourly pay with different benefits packages. Civil engineers in Reading often weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits against positions offering comprehensive health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay effectively relies on being aware of the local market conditions, the type of work one specializes in, and leveraging relevant credentials like the PE license, especially as infrastructure investment continues to shape job opportunities in the region.
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
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 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil 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 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