Engineering Erie, PA Pop. 94,831

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Erie, Pennsylvania

The median petroleum engineer salary in Erie, PA is $110,712 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 12.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$110,712
vs State Avg
$-15,816
vs National
$-21,088
Cost of Living
84%

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

Erie offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $110,712, which is $15,816 below the Pennsylvania state average of $126,528. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Erie pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Erie's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $110,712 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Erie an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Erie spans from $67,200 at the 10th percentile to $169,680 at the 90th percentile — a $102,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,560, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $163,800. Erie is a smaller market (pop. 94,831), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Erie by Experience

In Erie, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $70,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $163,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,560
$-13,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$112,560
$-21,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$163,800
$-31,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Erie, PA

Percentile Erie
10th Percentile $67,200
25th Percentile $85,680
Median (50th) $110,712
75th Percentile $141,120
90th Percentile $169,680

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$134,436
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$123,892
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$122,574
Pop. 302,971
Reading, PA
$115,984
Pop. 95,112

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Erie

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Erie

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Erie, PA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Erie

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Erie, PA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Erie, Pennsylvania is $110,712 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $67,200 (10th percentile) to $169,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Erie? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,712, a petroleum engineer in Erie earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Erie compare to the Pennsylvania state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Erie's median petroleum engineer salary of $110,712 is 12.5% below the Pennsylvania state average of $126,528. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Erie, PA? ▼
Erie has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $110,712 in Erie has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Erie? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Erie 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.