Petroleum Engineer Salary in Sioux City, IA: $110,712 (2026)

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

Sioux City offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $110,712, which is $6,590 below the Iowa state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Sioux City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Sioux City's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $110,712 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Sioux City an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Sioux City spans from $67,200 at the 10th percentile to $169,680 at the 90th percentile — a $102,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,560, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $163,800. Sioux City is a smaller market (pop. 85,797), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Sioux City by Experience

In Sioux City, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $70,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $163,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$70,560

$-13,440 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$112,560

$-21,440 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$163,800

$-31,200 vs national

Percentile	Sioux City	IA State	National
10th Percentile	$67,200	$71,200	$80,000
25th Percentile	$85,680	$90,780	$102,000
Median (50th)	$110,712	$117,302	$131,800
75th Percentile	$141,120	$149,520	$168,000
90th Percentile	$169,680	$179,780	$202,000

Percentile

Sioux City

10th Percentile

$67,200

25th Percentile

$85,680

Median (50th)

$110,712

75th Percentile

$141,120

90th Percentile

$169,680

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Sioux City

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Sioux City

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

The median petroleum engineer salary in Sioux City, Iowa is $110,712 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $67,200 (10th percentile) to $169,680 (90th percentile).

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

Based on the median annual salary of $110,712, a petroleum engineer in Sioux City earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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

Sioux City's median petroleum engineer salary of $110,712 is 5.6% below the Iowa state average of $117,302. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

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

Sioux City has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $110,712 in Sioux 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 Sioux City? ▼

Most petroleum engineer positions in Sioux 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 Sioux City, Iowa