Engineering Dover, DE Pop. 39,403

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Dover, Delaware

The median petroleum engineer salary in Dover, DE is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 5% below the Delaware state average.

City Median
$126,528
vs State Avg
$-6,590
vs National
$-5,272
Cost of Living
96%

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

Dover offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528, which is $6,590 below the Delaware state average of $133,118. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Dover pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Dover's cost of living is 96% 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 Dover spans from $76,800 at the 10th percentile to $193,920 at the 90th percentile — a $117,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,640, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $187,200. Dover is a smaller market (pop. 39,403), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Dover by Experience

In Dover, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $80,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $187,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,640
$-3,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$128,640
$-5,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$187,200
$-7,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Dover, DE

Percentile Dover
10th Percentile $76,800
25th Percentile $97,920
Median (50th) $126,528
75th Percentile $161,280
90th Percentile $193,920

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Wilmington, DE
$138,390
Pop. 70,898
Newark, DE
$134,436
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$130,482
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$129,164
Pop. 22,350

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Dover

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Dover

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Dover, DE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Dover

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Dover, DE? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Dover, Delaware is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $76,800 (10th percentile) to $193,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Dover? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,528, a petroleum engineer in Dover earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Dover compare to the Delaware state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Dover's median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 is 5% below the Delaware state average of $133,118. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Dover, DE? ▼
Dover has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 in Dover has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Dover? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Dover 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.