Engineering Milwaukee, WI Pop. 577,222

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The median petroleum engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.

City Median
$121,256
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-10,544
Cost of Living
92%

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

Milwaukee offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256, which is $0 above the Wisconsin state average of $121,256. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Milwaukee pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Milwaukee's cost of living is 92% 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 Milwaukee spans from $73,600 at the 10th percentile to $185,840 at the 90th percentile — a $112,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,280, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $179,400. As a major metro area with a population of 577,222, Milwaukee typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Milwaukee by Experience

In Milwaukee, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $77,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $179,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,280
$-6,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$123,280
$-10,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$179,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Milwaukee, WI

Percentile Milwaukee
10th Percentile $73,600
25th Percentile $93,840
Median (50th) $121,256
75th Percentile $154,560
90th Percentile $185,840

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Wisconsin Cities

Madison, WI
$131,800
Pop. 269,840
Kenosha, WI
$118,620
Pop. 99,986
Green Bay, WI
$115,984
Pop. 107,395
Racine, WI
$113,348
Pop. 77,816

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Milwaukee

Education

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

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Milwaukee

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Milwaukee, WI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Milwaukee

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Milwaukee, WI? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $121,256 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $73,600 (10th percentile) to $185,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Milwaukee? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $121,256, a petroleum engineer in Milwaukee earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Milwaukee compare to the Wisconsin state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Milwaukee's median petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 is 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average of $121,256. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Milwaukee, WI? ▼
Milwaukee has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $121,256 in Milwaukee has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Milwaukee? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Milwaukee 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.