Engineering Austin, TX Pop. 978,908

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Austin, Texas

The median petroleum engineer salary in Austin, TX is $138,390 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 14.1% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$138,390
vs State Avg
+$17,134
vs National
+$6,590
Cost of Living
105%

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

Austin offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $138,390, which is $17,134 above the Texas state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Austin pays above average for this role.

Austin's cost of living is 105% 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 Austin spans from $84,000 at the 10th percentile to $212,100 at the 90th percentile — a $128,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,200, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $204,750. As a major metro area with a population of 978,908, Austin typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Austin by Experience

In Austin, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $88,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $204,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,200
+$4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$140,700
+$6,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$204,750
+$9,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Austin, TX

Percentile Austin
10th Percentile $84,000
25th Percentile $107,100
Median (50th) $138,390
75th Percentile $176,400
90th Percentile $212,100

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Texas Cities

Dallas, TX
$131,800
Pop. 1,304,379
Houston, TX
$126,528
Pop. 2,304,580
Fort Worth, TX
$121,256
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$115,984
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Austin

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Austin

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Austin, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Austin

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Austin, TX? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Austin, Texas is $138,390 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $84,000 (10th percentile) to $212,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Austin? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $138,390, a petroleum engineer in Austin earns approximately $67 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Austin compare to the Texas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Austin's median petroleum engineer salary of $138,390 is 14.1% above the Texas state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Austin, TX? ▼
Austin has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $138,390 in Austin has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Austin? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Austin 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.