Petroleum Engineer Salary in Great Falls, MT: $115,984 (2026)

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984, which is $9,226 below the Montana state average of $125,210. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls'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 Great Falls an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Great Falls 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. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, 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

Percentile	Great Falls	MT State	National
10th Percentile	$70,400	$76,000	$80,000
25th Percentile	$89,760	$96,900	$102,000
Median (50th)	$115,984	$125,210	$131,800
75th Percentile	$147,840	$159,600	$168,000
90th Percentile	$177,760	$191,900	$202,000

Percentile

Great Falls

10th Percentile

$70,400

25th Percentile

$89,760

Median (50th)

$115,984

75th Percentile

$147,840

90th Percentile

$177,760

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Great Falls

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Great Falls, MT? ▼

The median petroleum engineer salary in Great Falls, Montana 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 Great Falls? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $115,984, a petroleum engineer in Great Falls earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼

Great Falls's median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $125,210. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼

Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Great Falls? ▼

Most petroleum engineer positions in Great Falls 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.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Great Falls, Montana