Engineering Houston, TX Pop. 2,304,580

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Houston, Texas

The median petroleum engineer salary in Houston, TX is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 4.3% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$126,528
vs State Avg
+$5,272
vs National
$-5,272
Cost of Living
96%

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

Houston offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528, which is $5,272 above the Texas state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Houston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Houston's cost of living is 96% 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 Houston spans from $76,800 at the 10th percentile to $193,920 at the 90th percentile — a $117,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $80,640, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $187,200. As a major metro area with a population of 2,304,580, Houston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Houston by Experience

In Houston, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $80,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $187,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$80,640
$-3,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$128,640
$-5,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$187,200
$-7,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Houston, TX

Percentile Houston
10th Percentile $76,800
25th Percentile $97,920
Median (50th) $126,528
75th Percentile $161,280
90th Percentile $193,920

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$138,390
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$131,800
Pop. 1,304,379
Fort Worth, TX
$121,256
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$115,984
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Houston

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Houston

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Houston, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Houston

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Houston, TX? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Houston, Texas is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $76,800 (10th percentile) to $193,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Houston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,528, a petroleum engineer in Houston earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Houston compare to the Texas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Houston's median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 is 4.3% above the Texas state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Houston, TX? ▼
Houston has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 in Houston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Houston? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Houston 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.