Engineering New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Petroleum Engineer Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median petroleum engineer salary in New Orleans, LA is $129,164 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 7.7% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$129,164
vs State Avg
+$9,226
vs National
$-2,636
Cost of Living
98%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $129,164, which is $9,226 above the Louisiana state average of $119,938. Compared to the national median of $131,800, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% 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 New Orleans spans from $78,400 at the 10th percentile to $197,960 at the 90th percentile — a $119,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $82,320, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $191,100. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $82,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $191,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$82,320
$-1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$131,320
$-2,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$191,100
$-3,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $78,400
25th Percentile $99,960
Median (50th) $129,164
75th Percentile $164,640
90th Percentile $197,960

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$121,256
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$115,984
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$113,348
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$112,030
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in New Orleans

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in New Orleans, LA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $129,164 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $78,400 (10th percentile) to $197,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $129,164, a petroleum engineer in New Orleans earns approximately $62 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
New Orleans's median petroleum engineer salary of $129,164 is 7.7% above the Louisiana state average of $119,938. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $129,164 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in New Orleans? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in New Orleans 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.