Engineering Charlotte, NC Pop. 874,579

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Charlotte, North Carolina

The median petroleum engineer salary in Charlotte, NC is $129,164 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$129,164
vs State Avg
+$7,908
vs National
$-2,636
Cost of Living
98%

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

Charlotte offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $129,164, which is $7,908 above the North Carolina state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Charlotte pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Charlotte's cost of living is 98% 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 Charlotte spans from $78,400 at the 10th percentile to $197,960 at the 90th percentile — a $119,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $82,320, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $191,100. As a major metro area with a population of 874,579, Charlotte typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Charlotte by Experience

In Charlotte, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $82,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $191,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$82,320
$-1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$131,320
$-2,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$191,100
$-3,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charlotte, NC

Percentile Charlotte
10th Percentile $78,400
25th Percentile $99,960
Median (50th) $129,164
75th Percentile $164,640
90th Percentile $197,960

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Raleigh, NC
$129,164
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$125,210
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$115,984
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$113,348
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Charlotte

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Charlotte

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Charlotte, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Charlotte

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Charlotte, NC? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Charlotte, North Carolina is $129,164 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $78,400 (10th percentile) to $197,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Charlotte? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $129,164, a petroleum engineer in Charlotte earns approximately $62 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charlotte compare to the North Carolina state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Charlotte's median petroleum engineer salary of $129,164 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charlotte, NC? ▼
Charlotte has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $129,164 in Charlotte has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Charlotte? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Charlotte 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.