Petroleum Engineer Salary in Iowa City, IA: $125,210 (2026)

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $125,210, which is $7,908 above the Iowa state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% 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 Iowa City spans from $76,000 at the 10th percentile to $191,900 at the 90th percentile — a $115,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,800, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,250. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $79,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$79,800

$-4,200 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$127,300

$-6,700 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$185,250

$-9,750 vs national

Percentile	Iowa City	IA State	National
10th Percentile	$76,000	$71,200	$80,000
25th Percentile	$96,900	$90,780	$102,000
Median (50th)	$125,210	$117,302	$131,800
75th Percentile	$159,600	$149,520	$168,000
90th Percentile	$191,900	$179,780	$202,000

Percentile

Iowa City

10th Percentile

$76,000

25th Percentile

$96,900

Median (50th)

$125,210

75th Percentile

$159,600

90th Percentile

$191,900

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Iowa City

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼

The median petroleum engineer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $125,210 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $76,000 (10th percentile) to $191,900 (90th percentile).

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $125,210, a petroleum engineer in Iowa City earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼

Iowa City's median petroleum engineer salary of $125,210 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $117,302. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼

Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $125,210 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Iowa City? ▼

Most petroleum engineer positions in Iowa City 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.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa