Cashier Salary in Reading, PA
Cashiers in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median $29,260 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,792 take-home, or $2,066 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Reading, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,331
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,814
- Medicare (1.45%)$424
- Pennsylvania income tax$898
- Take-home pay$24,792
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cashier pay by experience in Reading, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,800 | $10.96 | $19,686 | $1,640 |
| 25th percentile | $26,370 | $12.68 | $22,516 | $1,876 |
| Median (50th) | $29,260 | $14.07 | $24,792 | $2,066 |
| 75th percentile | $34,310 | $16.50 | $28,695 | $2,391 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,340 | $16.99 | $29,491 | $2,458 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,260 buys in Reading, PA
Prices in Reading, PA are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 15% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cashier's $24,792 take-home pay has the buying power of $25,543 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Reading, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Reading, PA ranks #191 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 191 | Reading, PA | $29,260 | $24,792 | $25,543 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cashier salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA — $33,050
- Erie, PA — $28,340
- Pittsburgh, PA — $29,470
- York, PA — $29,360
- Allentown, PA — $30,560
- Scranton, PA — $28,380
- Harrisburg, PA — $29,330
- Lancaster, PA — $28,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Reading, PA?
The median cashier salary in the Reading, PA metro area is $29,260 a year, or about $14.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,370 and $34,310.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Reading, PA?
On the median $29,260 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $24,792 a year ($2,066 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $898 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Reading, PA a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $25,543 would in a typical U.S. city. Reading, PA ranks #191 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier afford rent in Reading, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Reading, PA is $1,237 a month ($1,575 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
- Retail Salesperson — $33,010