Engineering Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median petroleum engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $118,620 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$118,620
vs State Avg
+$1,318
vs National
$-13,180
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620, which is $1,318 above the South Carolina state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia'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 Columbia 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. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
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 South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$138,390
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$131,800
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$125,210
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$121,256
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Columbia

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina 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 Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,620, a petroleum engineer in Columbia earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $117,302. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $118,620 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Columbia 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.