Engineering Little Rock, AR Pop. 202,591

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Little Rock, Arkansas

The median petroleum engineer salary in Little Rock, AR is $114,666 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 3.6% above the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$114,666
vs State Avg
+$3,954
vs National
$-17,134
Cost of Living
87%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Little Rock: What to Expect (2026)

Little Rock offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $114,666, which is $3,954 above the Arkansas state average of $110,712. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Little Rock pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Little Rock's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 87% of the national average. This means the $114,666 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Little Rock an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Little Rock spans from $69,600 at the 10th percentile to $175,740 at the 90th percentile — a $106,140 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,080, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $169,650. With a population of 202,591, Little Rock is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Little Rock by Experience

In Little Rock, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $73,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $169,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 87% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,080
$-10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$116,580
$-17,420 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$169,650
$-25,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Little Rock, AR

Percentile Little Rock
10th Percentile $69,600
25th Percentile $88,740
Median (50th) $114,666
75th Percentile $146,160
90th Percentile $175,740

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$115,984
Pop. 93,949
Springdale, AR
$110,712
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$108,076
Pop. 78,576
Fort Smith, AR
$105,440
Pop. 89,142

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Little Rock

Education

Most petroleum engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Little Rock 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 Little Rock may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Little Rock

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Little Rock, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Little Rock

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Little Rock, AR? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Little Rock, Arkansas is $114,666 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $69,600 (10th percentile) to $175,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Little Rock? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $114,666, a petroleum engineer in Little Rock earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Little Rock compare to the Arkansas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Little Rock's median petroleum engineer salary of $114,666 is 3.6% above the Arkansas state average of $110,712. The local cost of living index is 87% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Little Rock, AR? ▼
Little Rock has a cost of living index of 87% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $114,666 in Little Rock has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Little Rock? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Little Rock 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.