Petroleum Engineer Salary in 2026
Petroleum engineers design methods for extracting oil and gas from underground deposits. They develop drilling plans, optimize production techniques, and evaluate reservoir performance.
Median Salary
$129,000
$10,750/mo
Entry Level
$79,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$170,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
Petroleum Engineer Overview
Petroleum engineers design methods for extracting oil and gas from underground deposits. They develop drilling plans, optimize production techniques, and evaluate reservoir performance.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
35K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$62.02/hr
Monthly Pay
$10,750
Petroleum Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Petroleum Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Petroleum Engineer Salary
$139,000
$11,583/month · $5,346/biweekly · $66.83/hr
Petroleum Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Petroleum Engineer field.
Entry-level Petroleum Engineers earn around $79,000, while the top 10% earn $191,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Petroleum Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $135,000 | +$6,000 |
| Texas | $126,000 | $-3,000 |
| North Dakota | $120,000 | $-9,000 |
| Louisiana | $119,000 | $-10,000 |
| Oklahoma | $117,000 | $-12,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Petroleum Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $137,000 | +$8,000 |
| Williston | $129,000 | $0 |
| Houston | $128,000 | $-1,000 |
| New Orleans | $123,000 | $-6,000 |
| Oklahoma City | $117,000 | $-12,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Petroleum Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Petroleum Engineer from entry level to expert.
$79,000
0-2 years
$125,000
3-7 years
$170,000
8-14 years
$213,000
15+ years
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Petroleum Engineer Salary FAQ
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