Engineering Billings, MT Pop. 117,116

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Billings, Montana

The median petroleum engineer salary in Billings, MT is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 1.1% above the Montana state average.

City Median
$126,528
vs State Avg
+$1,318
vs National
$-5,272
Cost of Living
96%

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

Billings offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528, which is $1,318 above the Montana state average of $125,210. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Billings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Billings's cost of living is 96% 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 Billings spans from $76,800 at the 10th percentile to $193,920 at the 90th percentile — a $117,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,640, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $187,200. With a population of 117,116, Billings is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Billings by Experience

In Billings, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $80,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $187,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,640
$-3,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$128,640
$-5,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$187,200
$-7,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Billings, MT

Percentile Billings
10th Percentile $76,800
25th Percentile $97,920
Median (50th) $126,528
75th Percentile $161,280
90th Percentile $193,920

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Montana Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Billings

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Billings

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Billings, MT:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Billings

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Billings, MT? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Billings, Montana is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $76,800 (10th percentile) to $193,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Billings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,528, a petroleum engineer in Billings earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Billings compare to the Montana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Billings's median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 is 1.1% above the Montana state average of $125,210. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Billings, MT? ▼
Billings has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 in Billings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Billings? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Billings 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.