Engineering Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median petroleum engineer salary in Aberdeen, SD is $110,712 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$110,712
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
$-21,088
Cost of Living
84%

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

Aberdeen offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $110,712, which is $5,272 below the South Dakota state average of $115,984. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen'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 Aberdeen an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Aberdeen 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. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
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 South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$121,256
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$118,620
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$113,348
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$108,076
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Aberdeen

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota 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 Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,712, a petroleum engineer in Aberdeen earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median petroleum engineer salary of $110,712 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $115,984. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $110,712 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Aberdeen? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Aberdeen 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.