Engineering Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median petroleum engineer salary in Lincoln, NE is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$118,620
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-13,180
Cost of Living
90%

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

Lincoln offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620, which is $0 above the Nebraska state average of $118,620. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Lincoln pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Lincoln's cost of living is 90% 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 Lincoln spans from $72,000 at the 10th percentile to $181,800 at the 90th percentile — a $109,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $75,600, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $175,500. With a population of 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $75,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $175,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$75,600
$-8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$120,600
$-13,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$175,500
$-19,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
10th Percentile $72,000
25th Percentile $91,800
Median (50th) $118,620
75th Percentile $151,200
90th Percentile $181,800

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$122,574
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$121,256
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$113,348
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$110,712
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Lincoln

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Lincoln, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $72,000 (10th percentile) to $181,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,620, a petroleum engineer in Lincoln earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Lincoln's median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $118,620. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, NE? ▼
Lincoln has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Lincoln? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Lincoln 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.