Engineering Indianapolis, IN Pop. 887,642

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana

The median petroleum engineer salary in Indianapolis, IN is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.3% above the Indiana state average.

City Median
$122,574
vs State Avg
+$3,954
vs National
$-9,226
Cost of Living
93%

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

Indianapolis offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574, which is $3,954 above the Indiana state average of $118,620. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Indianapolis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Indianapolis's cost of living is 93% 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 Indianapolis spans from $74,400 at the 10th percentile to $187,860 at the 90th percentile — a $113,460 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,120, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $181,350. As a major metro area with a population of 887,642, Indianapolis typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Indianapolis by Experience

In Indianapolis, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $78,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $181,350 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$124,620
$-9,380 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$181,350
$-13,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Indianapolis, IN

Percentile Indianapolis
10th Percentile $74,400
25th Percentile $94,860
Median (50th) $122,574
75th Percentile $156,240
90th Percentile $187,860

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Indiana Cities

Carmel, IN
$138,390
Pop. 99,757
Fort Wayne, IN
$112,030
Pop. 263,886
Evansville, IN
$110,712
Pop. 117,429
South Bend, IN
$109,394
Pop. 103,453

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Indianapolis

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Indianapolis

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Indianapolis, IN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Indianapolis

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Indianapolis, Indiana is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $74,400 (10th percentile) to $187,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Indianapolis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,574, a petroleum engineer in Indianapolis earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Indianapolis compare to the Indiana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Indianapolis's median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 is 3.3% above the Indiana state average of $118,620. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 in Indianapolis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Indianapolis? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Indianapolis 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.