Engineering Hilo, HI Pop. 45,703

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Hilo, Hawaii

The median petroleum engineer salary in Hilo, HI is $200,336 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median and 10.6% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$200,336
vs State Avg
$-23,724
vs National
+$68,536
Cost of Living
152%

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

Hilo offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $200,336, which is $23,724 below the Hawaii state average of $224,060. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Hilo pays above average for this role.

However, Hilo's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $200,336 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $131,800. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Hilo should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Hilo spans from $121,600 at the 10th percentile to $307,040 at the 90th percentile — a $185,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $127,680, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $296,400. Hilo is a smaller market (pop. 45,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Hilo by Experience

In Hilo, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $127,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $296,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$127,680
+$43,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$203,680
+$69,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$296,400
+$101,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hilo, HI

Percentile Hilo
10th Percentile $121,600
25th Percentile $155,040
Median (50th) $200,336
75th Percentile $255,360
90th Percentile $307,040

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

Honolulu, HI
$230,650
Pop. 350,964
Kailua, HI
$224,060
Pop. 38,635
Pearl City, HI
$221,424
Pop. 47,698
Waipahu, HI
$213,516
Pop. 38,216

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Hilo

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Hilo

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Hilo, HI:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Hilo

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Hilo, HI? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Hilo, Hawaii is $200,336 per year, which is 52.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $121,600 (10th percentile) to $307,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Hilo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $200,336, a petroleum engineer in Hilo earns approximately $96 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hilo compare to the Hawaii state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Hilo's median petroleum engineer salary of $200,336 is 10.6% below the Hawaii state average of $224,060. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI? ▼
Hilo has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $200,336 in Hilo has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Hilo? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Hilo 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.