Engineering Paterson, NJ Pop. 159,732

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Paterson, New Jersey

The median petroleum engineer salary in Paterson, NJ is $138,390 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 8.7% below the New Jersey state average.

City Median
$138,390
vs State Avg
$-13,180
vs National
+$6,590
Cost of Living
105%

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

Paterson offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $138,390, which is $13,180 below the New Jersey state average of $151,570. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Paterson pays above average for this role.

Paterson's cost of living is 105% 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 Paterson spans from $84,000 at the 10th percentile to $212,100 at the 90th percentile — a $128,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,200, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $204,750. With a population of 159,732, Paterson is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Paterson by Experience

In Paterson, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $88,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,200
+$4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$140,700
+$6,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$204,750
+$9,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Paterson, NJ

Percentile Paterson
10th Percentile $84,000
25th Percentile $107,100
Median (50th) $138,390
75th Percentile $176,400
90th Percentile $212,100

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other New Jersey Cities

Jersey City, NJ
$168,704
Pop. 292,449
Edison, NJ
$151,570
Pop. 107,588
Newark, NJ
$147,616
Pop. 311,549
Elizabeth, NJ
$142,344
Pop. 137,298

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Paterson

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Paterson

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Paterson, NJ:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Paterson

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Paterson, NJ? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Paterson, New Jersey is $138,390 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $84,000 (10th percentile) to $212,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Paterson? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $138,390, a petroleum engineer in Paterson earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Paterson compare to the New Jersey state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Paterson's median petroleum engineer salary of $138,390 is 8.7% below the New Jersey state average of $151,570. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Paterson, NJ? ▼
Paterson has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $138,390 in Paterson has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Paterson? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Paterson 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.