Engineering Louisville, KY Pop. 633,045

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Louisville, Kentucky

The median petroleum engineer salary in Louisville, KY is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 5.7% above the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$121,256
vs State Avg
+$6,590
vs National
$-10,544
Cost of Living
92%

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

Louisville offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256, which is $6,590 above the Kentucky state average of $114,666. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Louisville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Louisville's cost of living is 92% 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 Louisville spans from $73,600 at the 10th percentile to $185,840 at the 90th percentile — a $112,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,280, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $179,400. As a major metro area with a population of 633,045, Louisville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Louisville by Experience

In Louisville, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $77,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $179,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$123,280
$-10,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$179,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Louisville, KY

Percentile Louisville
10th Percentile $73,600
25th Percentile $93,840
Median (50th) $121,256
75th Percentile $154,560
90th Percentile $185,840

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Louisville

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Louisville

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Louisville, KY:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Louisville

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Louisville, KY? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Louisville, Kentucky is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $73,600 (10th percentile) to $185,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Louisville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $121,256, a petroleum engineer in Louisville earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Louisville compare to the Kentucky state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Louisville's median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 is 5.7% above the Kentucky state average of $114,666. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Louisville, KY? ▼
Louisville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 in Louisville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Louisville? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Louisville 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.