Engineering Buffalo, NY Pop. 278,349

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Buffalo, New York

The median petroleum engineer salary in Buffalo, NY is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 24.6% below the New York state average.

City Median
$121,256
vs State Avg
$-39,540
vs National
$-10,544
Cost of Living
92%

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

Buffalo offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256, which is $39,540 below the New York state average of $160,796. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Buffalo pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Buffalo's cost of living is 92% 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 Buffalo spans from $73,600 at the 10th percentile to $185,840 at the 90th percentile — a $112,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,280, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $179,400. With a population of 278,349, Buffalo is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Buffalo by Experience

In Buffalo, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $77,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $179,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$123,280
$-10,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$179,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Buffalo, NY

Percentile Buffalo
10th Percentile $73,600
25th Percentile $93,840
Median (50th) $121,256
75th Percentile $154,560
90th Percentile $185,840

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$246,466
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$177,930
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$129,164
Pop. 99,224
Rochester, NY
$118,620
Pop. 211,328

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Buffalo

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Buffalo

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Buffalo, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Buffalo

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Buffalo, NY? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Buffalo, New York is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $73,600 (10th percentile) to $185,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Buffalo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $121,256, a petroleum engineer in Buffalo earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Buffalo compare to the New York state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Buffalo's median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 is 24.6% below the New York state average of $160,796. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Buffalo, NY? ▼
Buffalo has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 in Buffalo has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Buffalo? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Buffalo 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.