Engineering San Antonio, TX Pop. 1,434,625

Petroleum Engineer Salary in San Antonio, Texas

The median petroleum engineer salary in San Antonio, TX is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.3% below the Texas state average.

City Median
$115,984
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
$-15,816
Cost of Living
88%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in San Antonio: What to Expect (2026)

San Antonio offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984, which is $5,272 below the Texas state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, San Antonio pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of San Antonio's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $115,984 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes San Antonio an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in San Antonio spans from $70,400 at the 10th percentile to $177,760 at the 90th percentile — a $107,360 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $171,600. As a major metro area with a population of 1,434,625, San Antonio typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in San Antonio by Experience

In San Antonio, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $171,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,920
$-10,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,920
$-16,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$171,600
$-23,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Antonio, TX

Percentile San Antonio
10th Percentile $70,400
25th Percentile $89,760
Median (50th) $115,984
75th Percentile $147,840
90th Percentile $177,760

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Texas Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in San Antonio

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in San Antonio

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in San Antonio, TX:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in San Antonio

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in San Antonio, TX? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in San Antonio, Texas is $115,984 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $70,400 (10th percentile) to $177,760 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in San Antonio? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,984, a petroleum engineer in San Antonio earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Antonio compare to the Texas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
San Antonio's median petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 is 4.3% below the Texas state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Antonio, TX? ▼
San Antonio has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $115,984 in San Antonio has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in San Antonio? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in San Antonio 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.