Engineering Vancouver, WA Pop. 190,915

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Vancouver, Washington

The median petroleum engineer salary in Vancouver, WA is $134,436 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 11.3% below the Washington state average.

City Median
$134,436
vs State Avg
$-17,134
vs National
+$2,636
Cost of Living
102%

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

Vancouver offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436, which is $17,134 below the Washington state average of $151,570. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Vancouver pays above average for this role.

Vancouver'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 Vancouver 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 190,915, Vancouver is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Vancouver by Experience

In Vancouver, 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 Vancouver, WA

Percentile Vancouver
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 Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$200,336
Pop. 151,854
Seattle, WA
$195,064
Pop. 737,015
Tacoma, WA
$144,980
Pop. 219,346
Spokane, WA
$121,256
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Vancouver

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Vancouver

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Vancouver, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Vancouver

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Vancouver, WA? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Vancouver, Washington 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 Vancouver? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $134,436, a petroleum engineer in Vancouver earns approximately $65 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Vancouver compare to the Washington state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Vancouver's median petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 is 11.3% below the Washington state average of $151,570. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Vancouver, WA? ▼
Vancouver has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $134,436 in Vancouver has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Vancouver? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Vancouver 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.