Engineering Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median petroleum engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $108,076 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$108,076
vs State Avg
$-17,134
vs National
$-23,724
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $108,076, which is $17,134 below the Illinois state average of $125,210. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $108,076 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Rockford spans from $65,600 at the 10th percentile to $165,640 at the 90th percentile — a $100,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,880, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,900. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $68,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,880
$-15,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$109,880
$-24,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,900
$-35,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $65,600
25th Percentile $83,640
Median (50th) $108,076
75th Percentile $137,760
90th Percentile $165,640

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$142,344
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$141,026
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$125,210
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$112,030
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Rockford

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $108,076 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $65,600 (10th percentile) to $165,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $108,076, a petroleum engineer in Rockford earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median petroleum engineer salary of $108,076 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $125,210. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $108,076 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Rockford 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.