Engineering Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median petroleum engineer salary in Fort Collins, CO is $139,708 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median and 1.0% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$139,708
vs State Avg
+$1,318
vs National
+$7,908
Cost of Living
106%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $139,708, which is $1,318 above the Colorado state average of $138,390. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% 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 Fort Collins spans from $84,800 at the 10th percentile to $214,120 at the 90th percentile — a $129,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $89,040, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $206,700. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $89,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $206,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$89,040
+$5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$142,040
+$8,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$206,700
+$11,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $84,800
25th Percentile $108,120
Median (50th) $139,708
75th Percentile $178,080
90th Percentile $214,120

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$168,704
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$147,616
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$138,390
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$131,800
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Fort Collins

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Fort Collins, CO:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $139,708 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $84,800 (10th percentile) to $214,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $139,708, a petroleum engineer in Fort Collins earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median petroleum engineer salary of $139,708 is 1.0% above the Colorado state average of $138,390. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $139,708 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Fort Collins? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Fort Collins 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.