Engineering Fayetteville, AR Pop. 93,949

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas

The median petroleum engineer salary in Fayetteville, AR is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.8% above the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$115,984
vs State Avg
+$5,272
vs National
$-15,816
Cost of Living
88%

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

Fayetteville offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984, which is $5,272 above the Arkansas state average of $110,712. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Fayetteville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fayetteville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $115,984 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Fayetteville an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Fayetteville spans from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $177,760 at the 90th percentile — a $107,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $171,600. Fayetteville is a smaller market (pop. 93,949), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fayetteville by Experience

In Fayetteville, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $171,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-10,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,920
$-16,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$171,600
$-23,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fayetteville, AR

Percentile Fayetteville
10th Percentile $70,400
25th Percentile $89,760
Median (50th) $115,984
75th Percentile $147,840
90th Percentile $177,760

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Fayetteville

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Fayetteville

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Fayetteville, AR:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fayetteville

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Fayetteville, AR? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $70,400 (10th percentile) to $177,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Fayetteville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,984, a petroleum engineer in Fayetteville earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fayetteville compare to the Arkansas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Fayetteville's median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 is 4.8% above the Arkansas state average of $110,712. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, AR? ▼
Fayetteville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 in Fayetteville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Fayetteville? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Fayetteville 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.