Engineering Chicago, IL Pop. 2,693,976

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Chicago, Illinois

The median petroleum engineer salary in Chicago, IL is $141,026 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 12.6% above the Illinois state average.

City Median
$141,026
vs State Avg
+$15,816
vs National
+$9,226
Cost of Living
107%

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

Chicago offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $141,026, which is $15,816 above the Illinois state average of $125,210. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Chicago pays above average for this role.

Chicago's cost of living is 107% 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 Chicago spans from $85,600 at the 10th percentile to $216,140 at the 90th percentile — a $130,540 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $89,880, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $208,650. As a major metro area with a population of 2,693,976, Chicago typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Chicago by Experience

In Chicago, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $89,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $208,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$89,880
+$5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$143,380
+$9,380 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$208,650
+$13,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chicago, IL

Percentile Chicago
10th Percentile $85,600
25th Percentile $109,140
Median (50th) $141,026
75th Percentile $179,760
90th Percentile $216,140

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$142,344
Pop. 149,540
Aurora, IL
$125,210
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$112,030
Pop. 114,394
Rockford, IL
$108,076
Pop. 148,655

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Chicago

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Chicago

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Chicago, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Chicago

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Chicago, IL? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Chicago, Illinois is $141,026 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $85,600 (10th percentile) to $216,140 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Chicago? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $141,026, a petroleum engineer in Chicago earns approximately $68 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chicago compare to the Illinois state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Chicago's median petroleum engineer salary of $141,026 is 12.6% above the Illinois state average of $125,210. The local cost of living index is 107% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chicago, IL? ▼
Chicago has a cost of living index of 107% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $141,026 in Chicago has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Chicago? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Chicago 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.