Engineering San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Petroleum Engineer Salary in San Diego, California

The median petroleum engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $187,156 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$187,156
vs State Avg
+$5,272
vs National
+$55,356
Cost of Living
142%

Petroleum Engineer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $119,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $276,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$119,280
+$35,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$190,280
+$56,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$276,900
+$81,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $113,600
25th Percentile $144,840
Median (50th) $187,156
75th Percentile $238,560
90th Percentile $286,840

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in San Diego

Education

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