Engineering Silver Spring, MD Pop. 81,015

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Silver Spring, Maryland

The median petroleum engineer salary in Silver Spring, MD is $160,796 per year, which is 22.0% above the national median and 10.9% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$160,796
vs State Avg
+$15,816
vs National
+$28,996
Cost of Living
122%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Silver Spring: What to Expect (2026)

Silver Spring offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $160,796, which is $15,816 above the Maryland state average of $144,980. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Silver Spring pays above average for this role.

However, Silver Spring's cost of living index is 122%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $160,796 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $131,800. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Silver Spring should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Silver Spring spans from $97,600 at the 10th percentile to $246,440 at the 90th percentile — a $148,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $102,480, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $237,900. Silver Spring is a smaller market (pop. 81,015), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Silver Spring by Experience

In Silver Spring, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $102,480, while experienced professionals earn up to $237,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 122% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$102,480
+$18,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$163,480
+$29,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$237,900
+$42,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Silver Spring, MD

Percentile Silver Spring
10th Percentile $97,600
25th Percentile $124,440
Median (50th) $160,796
75th Percentile $204,960
90th Percentile $246,440

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Columbia, MD
$155,524
Pop. 104,681
Germantown, MD
$151,570
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$142,344
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$138,390
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Silver Spring

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Silver Spring, MD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Silver Spring

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Silver Spring, MD? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Silver Spring, Maryland is $160,796 per year, which is 22.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $97,600 (10th percentile) to $246,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Silver Spring? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $160,796, a petroleum engineer in Silver Spring earns approximately $77 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Silver Spring compare to the Maryland state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Silver Spring's median petroleum engineer salary of $160,796 is 10.9% above the Maryland state average of $144,980. The local cost of living index is 122% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Silver Spring, MD? ▼
Silver Spring has a cost of living index of 122% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $160,796 in Silver Spring has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Silver Spring? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Silver Spring 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.