Engineering Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median petroleum engineer salary in Durham, NC is $125,210 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$125,210
vs State Avg
+$3,954
vs National
$-6,590
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $125,210, which is $3,954 above the North Carolina state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% 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 Durham spans from $76,000 at the 10th percentile to $191,900 at the 90th percentile — a $115,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,800, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,250. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $79,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,300
$-6,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$185,250
$-9,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $76,000
25th Percentile $96,900
Median (50th) $125,210
75th Percentile $159,600
90th Percentile $191,900

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$129,164
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$129,164
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$115,984
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$113,348
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Durham, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $125,210 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $76,000 (10th percentile) to $191,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $125,210, a petroleum engineer in Durham earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median petroleum engineer salary of $125,210 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $125,210 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Durham? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Durham 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.