Engineering Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median petroleum engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $122,574 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

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

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

Pittsburgh offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574, which is $3,954 below the Pennsylvania state average of $126,528. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh'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 Pittsburgh 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. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
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 Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$134,436
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$123,892
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$115,984
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$110,712
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,574, a petroleum engineer in Pittsburgh earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $126,528. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $122,574 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Pittsburgh 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.