Engineering Nashville, TN Pop. 689,447

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Nashville, Tennessee

The median petroleum engineer salary in Nashville, TN is $131,800 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 12.4% above the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$131,800
vs State Avg
+$14,498
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

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

Nashville offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $131,800, which is $14,498 above the Tennessee state average of $117,302. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Nashville pays above average for this role.

Nashville's cost of living is 100% 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 Nashville spans from $80,000 at the 10th percentile to $202,000 at the 90th percentile — a $122,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $84,000, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $195,000. As a major metro area with a population of 689,447, Nashville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Nashville by Experience

In Nashville, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $84,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $195,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$84,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$134,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$195,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Nashville, TN

Percentile Nashville
10th Percentile $80,000
25th Percentile $102,000
Median (50th) $131,800
75th Percentile $168,000
90th Percentile $202,000

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Nashville

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Nashville

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Nashville, TN:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Nashville

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Nashville, TN? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Nashville, Tennessee is $131,800 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $80,000 (10th percentile) to $202,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Nashville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $131,800, a petroleum engineer in Nashville earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Nashville compare to the Tennessee state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Nashville's median petroleum engineer salary of $131,800 is 12.4% above the Tennessee state average of $117,302. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Nashville, TN? ▼
Nashville has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $131,800 in Nashville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Nashville? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Nashville 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.