Petroleum Engineer Salary
Petroleum engineers design methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth's surface.
Petroleum Engineer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level petroleum engineers earn around $84,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $134,000. Senior-level petroleum engineers can earn $195,000 or more.
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View Offers You Qualify For →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for petroleum engineers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $80,000, while the top 10% earn $202,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $80,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $131,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $202,000 |
Petroleum Engineer Salary by State
Petroleum Engineer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $224,060, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $109,394.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $224,060 | Details → |
| #2 California | $181,884 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $177,930 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $163,432 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $160,796 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $151,570 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $151,570 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $147,616 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $144,980 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $144,980 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $138,390 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $138,390 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $138,390 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $137,072 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $133,118 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $133,118 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $129,164 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $129,164 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $127,846 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $127,846 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $127,846 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $127,846 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $126,528 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $125,210 | Details → |
| #25 Michigan | $125,210 | Details → |
| #26 Montana | $125,210 | Details → |
| #27 Idaho | $123,892 | Details → |
| #28 Georgia | $122,574 | Details → |
| #29 New Mexico | $122,574 | Details → |
| #30 North Carolina | $121,256 | Details → |
| #31 Texas | $121,256 | Details → |
| #32 Wisconsin | $121,256 | Details → |
| #33 Wyoming | $121,256 | Details → |
| #34 Louisiana | $119,938 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $118,620 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $118,620 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $118,620 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $118,620 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $117,302 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $117,302 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $117,302 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $115,984 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $115,984 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $114,666 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $114,666 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $114,666 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $113,348 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $110,712 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $110,712 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $109,394 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Petroleum Engineers who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $63,200 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Design oil and gas extraction methods
- ● Develop drilling plans
- ● Monitor production operations
- ● Evaluate reservoir potential
- ● Ensure environmental compliance
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 8% growth over the next decade
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