Engineering Tacoma, WA Pop. 219,346

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Tacoma, Washington

The median petroleum engineer salary in Tacoma, WA is $144,980 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 4.3% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$144,980
vs State Avg
$-6,590
vs National
+$13,180
Cost of Living
110%

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

Tacoma offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $144,980, which is $6,590 below the Washington state average of $151,570. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Tacoma pays above average for this role.

Tacoma's cost of living is 110% 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 Tacoma spans from $88,000 at the 10th percentile to $222,200 at the 90th percentile — a $134,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $92,400, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $214,500. With a population of 219,346, Tacoma is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Tacoma by Experience

In Tacoma, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $92,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $214,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$92,400
+$8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,400
+$13,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$214,500
+$19,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tacoma, WA

Percentile Tacoma
10th Percentile $88,000
25th Percentile $112,200
Median (50th) $144,980
75th Percentile $184,800
90th Percentile $222,200

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$200,336
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$195,064
Pop. 737,015
Vancouver, WA
$134,436
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$121,256
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Tacoma

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Tacoma

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Tacoma, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Tacoma

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Tacoma, WA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Tacoma, Washington is $144,980 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $88,000 (10th percentile) to $222,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Tacoma? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $144,980, a petroleum engineer in Tacoma earns approximately $70 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tacoma compare to the Washington state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Tacoma's median petroleum engineer salary of $144,980 is 4.3% below the Washington state average of $151,570. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tacoma, WA? ▼
Tacoma has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $144,980 in Tacoma has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Tacoma? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Tacoma 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.