Engineering Birmingham, AL Pop. 197,575

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Birmingham, Alabama

The median petroleum engineer salary in Birmingham, AL is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.4% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$118,620
vs State Avg
+$3,954
vs National
$-13,180
Cost of Living
90%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Birmingham: What to Expect (2026)

Birmingham offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620, which is $3,954 above the Alabama state average of $114,666. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Birmingham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Birmingham's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Birmingham spans from $72,000 at the 10th percentile to $181,800 at the 90th percentile — a $109,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,600, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $175,500. With a population of 197,575, Birmingham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Birmingham by Experience

In Birmingham, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $75,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $175,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,600
$-8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$120,600
$-13,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$175,500
$-19,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Birmingham, AL

Percentile Birmingham
10th Percentile $72,000
25th Percentile $91,800
Median (50th) $118,620
75th Percentile $151,200
90th Percentile $181,800

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$121,256
Pop. 216,963
Tuscaloosa, AL
$115,984
Pop. 101,129
Montgomery, AL
$113,348
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$112,030
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Birmingham

Education

Most petroleum engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Birmingham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Birmingham

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Birmingham, AL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Birmingham

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Birmingham, AL? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $72,000 (10th percentile) to $181,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Birmingham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,620, a petroleum engineer in Birmingham earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Birmingham compare to the Alabama state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Birmingham's median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 is 3.4% above the Alabama state average of $114,666. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Birmingham, AL? ▼
Birmingham has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 in Birmingham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Birmingham? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Birmingham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.