Engineering Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median petroleum engineer salary in Rochester, NY is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$118,620
vs State Avg
$-42,176
vs National
$-13,180
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rochester offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620, which is $42,176 below the New York state average of $160,796. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester'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 Rochester 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 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
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 New York Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Rochester

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Rochester, NY:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Rochester, New York 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 Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,620, a petroleum engineer in Rochester earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Rochester's median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $160,796. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NY? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Rochester? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Rochester 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.