Engineering Missoula, MT Pop. 75,516

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Missoula, Montana

The median petroleum engineer salary in Missoula, MT is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 7.4% above the Montana state average.

City Median
$134,436
vs State Avg
+$9,226
vs National
+$2,636
Cost of Living
102%

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

Missoula offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436, which is $9,226 above the Montana state average of $125,210. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Missoula pays above average for this role.

Missoula's cost of living is 102% 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 Missoula spans from $81,600 at the 10th percentile to $206,040 at the 90th percentile — a $124,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $85,680, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $198,900. Missoula is a smaller market (pop. 75,516), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Missoula by Experience

In Missoula, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $85,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$85,680
+$1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$136,680
+$2,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,900
+$3,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Missoula, MT

Percentile Missoula
10th Percentile $81,600
25th Percentile $104,040
Median (50th) $134,436
75th Percentile $171,360
90th Percentile $206,040

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Montana Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Missoula

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Missoula

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Missoula, MT:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Missoula

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Missoula, MT? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Missoula, Montana is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $81,600 (10th percentile) to $206,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Missoula? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $134,436, a petroleum engineer in Missoula earns approximately $65 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Missoula compare to the Montana state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Missoula's median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 is 7.4% above the Montana state average of $125,210. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Missoula, MT? ▼
Missoula has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 in Missoula has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Missoula? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Missoula 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.