Engineering Norfolk, VA Pop. 238,005

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Norfolk, Virginia

The median petroleum engineer salary in Norfolk, VA is $126,528 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 7.7% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$126,528
vs State Avg
$-10,544
vs National
$-5,272
Cost of Living
96%

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

Norfolk offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528, which is $10,544 below the Virginia state average of $137,072. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Norfolk pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Norfolk'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 Norfolk 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. With a population of 238,005, Norfolk is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Norfolk by Experience

In Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, VA

Percentile Norfolk
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 Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$173,976
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$134,436
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$131,800
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$129,164
Pop. 249,422

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Norfolk

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Norfolk

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Norfolk, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Norfolk

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Norfolk, VA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Norfolk, Virginia 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 Norfolk? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,528, a petroleum engineer in Norfolk earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Norfolk compare to the Virginia state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Norfolk's median petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 is 7.7% below the Virginia state average of $137,072. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Norfolk, VA? ▼
Norfolk has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $126,528 in Norfolk has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Norfolk? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Norfolk 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.