Petroleum Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $113,348 (2026)

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $113,348, which is $7,908 below the North Carolina state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $113,348 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Winston-Salem spans from $68,800 at the 10th percentile to $173,720 at the 90th percentile — a $104,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,240, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $167,700. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $72,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $167,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$72,240

$-11,760 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$115,240

$-18,760 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$167,700

$-27,300 vs national

Percentile	Winston-Salem	NC State	National
10th Percentile	$68,800	$73,600	$80,000
25th Percentile	$87,720	$93,840	$102,000
Median (50th)	$113,348	$121,256	$131,800
75th Percentile	$144,480	$154,560	$168,000
90th Percentile	$173,720	$185,840	$202,000

Percentile

Winston-Salem

10th Percentile

$68,800

25th Percentile

$87,720

Median (50th)

$113,348

75th Percentile

$144,480

90th Percentile

$173,720

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Winston-Salem

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

The median petroleum engineer salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $113,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $68,800 (10th percentile) to $173,720 (90th percentile).

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $113,348, a petroleum engineer in Winston-Salem earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼

Winston-Salem's median petroleum engineer salary of $113,348 is 6.5% below the North Carolina state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $113,348 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Winston-Salem? ▼

Most petroleum engineer positions in Winston-Salem 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.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina