Engineering Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median petroleum engineer salary in Lafayette, LA is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$115,984
vs State Avg
$-3,954
vs National
$-15,816
Cost of Living
88%

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

Lafayette offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984, which is $3,954 below the Louisiana state average of $119,938. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $115,984 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Lafayette an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Lafayette spans from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $177,760 at the 90th percentile — a $107,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $171,600. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $171,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-10,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,920
$-16,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$171,600
$-23,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
10th Percentile $70,400
25th Percentile $89,760
Median (50th) $115,984
75th Percentile $147,840
90th Percentile $177,760

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$129,164
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$121,256
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$113,348
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$112,030
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Lafayette

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $70,400 (10th percentile) to $177,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,984, a petroleum engineer in Lafayette earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $119,938. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Lafayette? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Lafayette 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.