Engineering Wilmington, DE Pop. 70,898

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

The median petroleum engineer salary in Wilmington, DE is $138,390 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 4.0% above the Delaware state average.

City Median
$138,390
vs State Avg
+$5,272
vs National
+$6,590
Cost of Living
105%

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

Wilmington offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $138,390, which is $5,272 above the Delaware state average of $133,118. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Wilmington pays above average for this role.

Wilmington's cost of living is 105% 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 Wilmington spans from $84,000 at the 10th percentile to $212,100 at the 90th percentile — a $128,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,200, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $204,750. Wilmington is a smaller market (pop. 70,898), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Wilmington by Experience

In Wilmington, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $88,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,200
+$4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$140,700
+$6,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$204,750
+$9,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wilmington, DE

Percentile Wilmington
10th Percentile $84,000
25th Percentile $107,100
Median (50th) $138,390
75th Percentile $176,400
90th Percentile $212,100

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Newark, DE
$134,436
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$130,482
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$129,164
Pop. 22,350
Dover, DE
$126,528
Pop. 39,403

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Wilmington

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Wilmington

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Wilmington, DE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Wilmington

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Wilmington, DE? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $138,390 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $84,000 (10th percentile) to $212,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Wilmington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $138,390, a petroleum engineer in Wilmington earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wilmington compare to the Delaware state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Wilmington's median petroleum engineer salary of $138,390 is 4.0% above the Delaware state average of $133,118. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wilmington, DE? ▼
Wilmington has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $138,390 in Wilmington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Wilmington? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Wilmington 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.