Engineering Virginia Beach, VA Pop. 449,974

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia

The median petroleum engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 1.9% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$134,436
vs State Avg
$-2,636
vs National
+$2,636
Cost of Living
102%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Virginia Beach: What to Expect (2026)

Virginia Beach offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436, which is $2,636 below the Virginia state average of $137,072. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Virginia Beach pays above average for this role.

Virginia Beach's cost of living is 102% 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 Virginia Beach spans from $81,600 at the 10th percentile to $206,040 at the 90th percentile — a $124,440 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $85,680, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $198,900. With a population of 449,974, Virginia Beach is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach by Experience

In Virginia Beach, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $85,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$85,680
+$1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$136,680
+$2,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,900
+$3,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Virginia Beach, VA

Percentile Virginia Beach
10th Percentile $81,600
25th Percentile $104,040
Median (50th) $134,436
75th Percentile $171,360
90th Percentile $206,040

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$173,976
Pop. 238,643
Richmond, VA
$131,800
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$129,164
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$126,528
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Virginia Beach

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Virginia Beach

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Virginia Beach, VA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Virginia Beach, VA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $81,600 (10th percentile) to $206,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Virginia Beach? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $134,436, a petroleum engineer in Virginia Beach earns approximately $65 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Virginia Beach compare to the Virginia state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Virginia Beach's median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 is 1.9% below the Virginia state average of $137,072. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA? ▼
Virginia Beach has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 in Virginia Beach has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Virginia Beach? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Virginia Beach 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.