Engineering Hattiesburg, MS Pop. 48,728

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

The median petroleum engineer salary in Hattiesburg, MS is $105,440 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 3.6% below the Mississippi state average.

City Median
$105,440
vs State Avg
$-3,954
vs National
$-26,360
Cost of Living
80%

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

Hattiesburg offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $105,440, which is $3,954 below the Mississippi state average of $109,394. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Hattiesburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Hattiesburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $105,440 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Hattiesburg an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Hattiesburg spans from $64,000 at the 10th percentile to $161,600 at the 90th percentile — a $97,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,200, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,000. Hattiesburg is a smaller market (pop. 48,728), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Hattiesburg by Experience

In Hattiesburg, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $67,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,200
$-16,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,200
$-26,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,000
$-39,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hattiesburg, MS

Percentile Hattiesburg
10th Percentile $64,000
25th Percentile $81,600
Median (50th) $105,440
75th Percentile $134,400
90th Percentile $161,600

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Mississippi Cities

Jackson, MS
$112,030
Pop. 153,701
Southaven, MS
$110,712
Pop. 55,026
Biloxi, MS
$109,394
Pop. 46,212
Gulfport, MS
$108,076
Pop. 72,926

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Hattiesburg

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Hattiesburg

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Hattiesburg, MS:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Hattiesburg

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Hattiesburg, MS? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is $105,440 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $64,000 (10th percentile) to $161,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Hattiesburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,440, a petroleum engineer in Hattiesburg earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hattiesburg compare to the Mississippi state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Hattiesburg's median petroleum engineer salary of $105,440 is 3.6% below the Mississippi state average of $109,394. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hattiesburg, MS? ▼
Hattiesburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $105,440 in Hattiesburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Hattiesburg? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Hattiesburg 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.