Engineering Richmond, VA Pop. 226,610

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Richmond, Virginia

The median petroleum engineer salary in Richmond, VA is $131,800 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 3.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$131,800
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

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

Richmond offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $131,800, which is $5,272 below the Virginia state average of $137,072. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Richmond pays above average for this role.

Richmond's cost of living is 100% 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 Richmond spans from $80,000 at the 10th percentile to $202,000 at the 90th percentile — a $122,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $84,000, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $195,000. With a population of 226,610, Richmond is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Richmond by Experience

In Richmond, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $84,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $195,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$84,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$134,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$195,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Richmond, VA

Percentile Richmond
10th Percentile $80,000
25th Percentile $102,000
Median (50th) $131,800
75th Percentile $168,000
90th Percentile $202,000

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$173,976
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$134,436
Pop. 449,974
Chesapeake, VA
$129,164
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$126,528
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Richmond

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Richmond

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Richmond, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Richmond

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Richmond, VA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Richmond, Virginia is $131,800 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $80,000 (10th percentile) to $202,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Richmond? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $131,800, a petroleum engineer in Richmond earns approximately $63 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Richmond compare to the Virginia state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Richmond's median petroleum engineer salary of $131,800 is 3.8% below the Virginia state average of $137,072. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Richmond, VA? ▼
Richmond has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $131,800 in Richmond has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Richmond? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Richmond 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.