Engineering West Fargo, ND Pop. 38,626

Petroleum Engineer Salary in West Fargo, North Dakota

The median petroleum engineer salary in West Fargo, ND is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Dakota state average.

City Median
$122,574
vs State Avg
+$3,954
vs National
$-9,226
Cost of Living
93%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in West Fargo: What to Expect (2026)

West Fargo offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574, which is $3,954 above the North Dakota state average of $118,620. Compared to the national median of $131,800, West Fargo pays below the national benchmark for this role.

West Fargo's cost of living is 93% 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 West Fargo spans from $74,400 at the 10th percentile to $187,860 at the 90th percentile — a $113,460 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,120, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $181,350. West Fargo is a smaller market (pop. 38,626), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in West Fargo by Experience

In West Fargo, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $78,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $181,350 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$124,620
$-9,380 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$181,350
$-13,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in West Fargo, ND

Percentile West Fargo
10th Percentile $74,400
25th Percentile $94,860
Median (50th) $122,574
75th Percentile $156,240
90th Percentile $187,860

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other North Dakota Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in West Fargo

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in West Fargo

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in West Fargo, ND:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in West Fargo

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in West Fargo, ND? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in West Fargo, North Dakota is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $74,400 (10th percentile) to $187,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in West Fargo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,574, a petroleum engineer in West Fargo earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does West Fargo compare to the North Dakota state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
West Fargo's median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 is 3.3% above the North Dakota state average of $118,620. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in West Fargo, ND? ▼
West Fargo has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 in West Fargo has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in West Fargo? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in West Fargo 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.