Engineering Chesapeake, VA Pop. 249,422

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Chesapeake, Virginia

The median petroleum engineer salary in Chesapeake, VA is $129,164 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 5.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$129,164
vs State Avg
$-7,908
vs National
$-2,636
Cost of Living
98%

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

Chesapeake offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $129,164, which is $7,908 below the Virginia state average of $137,072. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Chesapeake pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Chesapeake's cost of living is 98% 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 Chesapeake spans from $78,400 at the 10th percentile to $197,960 at the 90th percentile — a $119,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $82,320, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $191,100. With a population of 249,422, Chesapeake is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Chesapeake by Experience

In Chesapeake, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $82,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $191,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$82,320
$-1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$131,320
$-2,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$191,100
$-3,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chesapeake, VA

Percentile Chesapeake
10th Percentile $78,400
25th Percentile $99,960
Median (50th) $129,164
75th Percentile $164,640
90th Percentile $197,960

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$173,976
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$134,436
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$131,800
Pop. 226,610
Norfolk, VA
$126,528
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Chesapeake

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Chesapeake

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Chesapeake, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Chesapeake

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Chesapeake, VA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Chesapeake, Virginia is $129,164 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $78,400 (10th percentile) to $197,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Chesapeake? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $129,164, a petroleum engineer in Chesapeake earns approximately $62 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chesapeake compare to the Virginia state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Chesapeake's median petroleum engineer salary of $129,164 is 5.8% below the Virginia state average of $137,072. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chesapeake, VA? ▼
Chesapeake has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $129,164 in Chesapeake has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Chesapeake? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Chesapeake 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.