Engineering Helena, MT Pop. 32,315

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Helena, Montana

The median petroleum engineer salary in Helena, MT is $123,892 per year, which is 6% below the national median and 1.1% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$123,892
vs State Avg
$-1,318
vs National
$-7,908
Cost of Living
94%

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

Helena offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $123,892, which is $1,318 below the Montana state average of $125,210. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% 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 Helena spans from $75,200 at the 10th percentile to $189,880 at the 90th percentile — a $114,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,960, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $183,300. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $78,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $183,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,960
$-5,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,960
$-8,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$183,300
$-11,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Helena, MT

Percentile Helena
10th Percentile $75,200
25th Percentile $95,880
Median (50th) $123,892
75th Percentile $157,920
90th Percentile $189,880

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$151,570
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$134,436
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$126,528
Pop. 117,116
Great Falls, MT
$115,984
Pop. 60,442

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Helena

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Helena

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Helena, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Helena

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Helena, MT? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Helena, Montana is $123,892 per year, which is 6% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $75,200 (10th percentile) to $189,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Helena? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $123,892, a petroleum engineer in Helena earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Helena's median petroleum engineer salary of $123,892 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $125,210. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT? ▼
Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $123,892 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Helena? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Helena 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.