Engineering Tucson, AZ Pop. 542,629

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Tucson, Arizona

The median petroleum engineer salary in Tucson, AZ is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 4.1% below the Arizona state average.

City Median
$122,574
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
$-9,226
Cost of Living
93%

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

Tucson offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574, which is $5,272 below the Arizona state average of $127,846. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Tucson pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Tucson's cost of living is 93% 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 Tucson spans from $74,400 at the 10th percentile to $187,860 at the 90th percentile — a $113,460 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,120, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $181,350. As a major metro area with a population of 542,629, Tucson typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Tucson by Experience

In Tucson, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $78,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $181,350 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$124,620
$-9,380 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$181,350
$-13,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tucson, AZ

Percentile Tucson
10th Percentile $74,400
25th Percentile $94,860
Median (50th) $122,574
75th Percentile $156,240
90th Percentile $187,860

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Arizona Cities

Scottsdale, AZ
$147,616
Pop. 241,361
Chandler, AZ
$134,436
Pop. 275,987
Phoenix, AZ
$131,800
Pop. 1,608,139
Mesa, AZ
$127,846
Pop. 504,258

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Tucson

Education

Most petroleum engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Tucson and the surrounding Arizona 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 Tucson may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Tucson

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Tucson, AZ:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Tucson

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Tucson, AZ? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Tucson, Arizona is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $74,400 (10th percentile) to $187,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Tucson? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,574, a petroleum engineer in Tucson earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tucson compare to the Arizona state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Tucson's median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 is 4.1% below the Arizona state average of $127,846. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tucson, AZ? ▼
Tucson has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 in Tucson has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Tucson? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Tucson 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.