Engineering Wichita, KS Pop. 397,532

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Wichita, Kansas

The median petroleum engineer salary in Wichita, KS is $112,030 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.3% below the Kansas state average.

City Median
$112,030
vs State Avg
$-2,636
vs National
$-19,770
Cost of Living
85%

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

Wichita offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $112,030, which is $2,636 below the Kansas state average of $114,666. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Wichita pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Wichita's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 85% of the national average. This means the $112,030 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Wichita an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Wichita spans from $68,000 at the 10th percentile to $171,700 at the 90th percentile — a $103,700 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $71,400, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $165,750. With a population of 397,532, Wichita is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Wichita by Experience

In Wichita, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $71,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $165,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,400
$-12,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,900
$-20,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$165,750
$-29,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wichita, KS

Percentile Wichita
10th Percentile $68,000
25th Percentile $86,700
Median (50th) $112,030
75th Percentile $142,800
90th Percentile $171,700

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Kansas Cities

Overland Park, KS
$126,528
Pop. 197,238
Olathe, KS
$123,892
Pop. 141,290
Kansas City, KS
$115,984
Pop. 156,607
Topeka, KS
$109,394
Pop. 127,473

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Wichita

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Wichita

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Wichita, KS:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Wichita

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Wichita, KS? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Wichita, Kansas is $112,030 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $68,000 (10th percentile) to $171,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Wichita? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $112,030, a petroleum engineer in Wichita earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wichita compare to the Kansas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Wichita's median petroleum engineer salary of $112,030 is 2.3% below the Kansas state average of $114,666. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wichita, KS? ▼
Wichita has a cost of living index of 85% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $112,030 in Wichita has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Wichita? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Wichita 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.