Engineering Bismarck, ND Pop. 73,529

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Bismarck, North Dakota

The median petroleum engineer salary in Bismarck, ND is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the North Dakota state average.

City Median
$118,620
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-13,180
Cost of Living
90%

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

Bismarck offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620, which is $0 above the North Dakota state average of $118,620. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Bismarck pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Bismarck'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 Bismarck 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. Bismarck is a smaller market (pop. 73,529), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Bismarck by Experience

In Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, ND

Percentile Bismarck
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 North Dakota Cities

Fargo, ND
$123,892
Pop. 125,990
West Fargo, ND
$122,574
Pop. 38,626
Minot, ND
$121,256
Pop. 48,639
Grand Forks, ND
$115,984
Pop. 56,588

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Bismarck

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Bismarck

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Bismarck, ND:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Bismarck

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Bismarck, ND? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Bismarck, North Dakota 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 Bismarck? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,620, a petroleum engineer in Bismarck earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Bismarck compare to the North Dakota state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Bismarck's median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 is 0.0% above the North Dakota state average of $118,620. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Bismarck, ND? ▼
Bismarck has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 in Bismarck has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Bismarck? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Bismarck 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.