Petroleum Engineer Salary in Owensboro, KY: $108,076 (2026)

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

Owensboro offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $108,076, which is $6,590 below the Kentucky state average of $114,666. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $108,076 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Owensboro spans from $65,600 at the 10th percentile to $165,640 at the 90th percentile — a $100,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,880, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,900. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $68,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$68,880

$-15,120 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$109,880

$-24,120 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$159,900

$-35,100 vs national

Percentile	Owensboro	KY State	National
10th Percentile	$65,600	$69,600	$80,000
25th Percentile	$83,640	$88,740	$102,000
Median (50th)	$108,076	$114,666	$131,800
75th Percentile	$137,760	$146,160	$168,000
90th Percentile	$165,640	$175,740	$202,000

Percentile

Owensboro

10th Percentile

$65,600

25th Percentile

$83,640

Median (50th)

$108,076

75th Percentile

$137,760

90th Percentile

$165,640

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Owensboro

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Owensboro

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Owensboro, KY? ▼

The median petroleum engineer salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $108,076 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $65,600 (10th percentile) to $165,640 (90th percentile).

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

Based on the median annual salary of $108,076, a petroleum engineer in Owensboro earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼

Owensboro's median petroleum engineer salary of $108,076 is 5.7% below the Kentucky state average of $114,666. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼

Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $108,076 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most petroleum engineer positions in Owensboro 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 Owensboro, Kentucky