Engineering Atlanta, GA Pop. 498,715

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Atlanta, Georgia

The median petroleum engineer salary in Atlanta, GA is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 9.7% above the Georgia state average.

City Median
$134,436
vs State Avg
+$11,862
vs National
+$2,636
Cost of Living
102%

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

Atlanta offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436, which is $11,862 above the Georgia state average of $122,574. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Atlanta pays above average for this role.

Atlanta's cost of living is 102% 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 Atlanta spans from $81,600 at the 10th percentile to $206,040 at the 90th percentile — a $124,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $85,680, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $198,900. With a population of 498,715, Atlanta is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Atlanta by Experience

In Atlanta, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $85,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$85,680
+$1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$136,680
+$2,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,900
+$3,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Atlanta, GA

Percentile Atlanta
10th Percentile $81,600
25th Percentile $104,040
Median (50th) $134,436
75th Percentile $171,360
90th Percentile $206,040

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Savannah, GA
$121,256
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$118,620
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$115,984
Pop. 202,081
Columbus, GA
$113,348
Pop. 206,922

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Atlanta

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Atlanta

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Atlanta, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Atlanta

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Atlanta, GA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Atlanta, Georgia is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $81,600 (10th percentile) to $206,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Atlanta? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $134,436, a petroleum engineer in Atlanta earns approximately $65 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Atlanta compare to the Georgia state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Atlanta's median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 is 9.7% above the Georgia state average of $122,574. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Atlanta, GA? ▼
Atlanta has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 in Atlanta has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Atlanta? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Atlanta 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.