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
$144,910
$12,076/mo
Entry Level
$88,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$191,000
experienced
Job Growth
+3%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171) at a national median of $144,910 per year (mean $157,150), or $69.67 per hour, with 18,060 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
18K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$69.67/hr
Monthly Pay
$12,076
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
$156,000
$13,000/month · $6,000/biweekly · $75.00/hr
Petroleum Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Petroleum Engineer field.
Entry-level Petroleum Engineers earn around $88,700, while the top 10% earn $215,150 or more.
Top Paying States for Petroleum Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $152,000 | +$7,090 |
| Texas | $142,000 | $-2,910 |
| North Dakota | $135,000 | $-9,910 |
| Louisiana | $133,000 | $-11,910 |
| Oklahoma | $132,000 | $-12,910 |
Top Paying Cities for Petroleum Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $154,000 | +$9,090 |
| Williston | $145,000 | +$90 |
| Houston | $143,000 | $-1,910 |
| New Orleans | $138,000 | $-6,910 |
| Oklahoma City | $132,000 | $-12,910 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Petroleum Engineer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Petroleum Engineer.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Petroleum Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Petroleum Engineer from entry level to expert.
$88,700
0-2 years
$140,000
3-7 years
$191,000
8-14 years
$239,300
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Petroleum Engineer Salary FAQ
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Petroleum Engineer in the United States is $144,910 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171); the mean is $157,150. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $88,700, senior professionals around $191,000, and top earners at $239,300 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Petroleum Engineer?
A Petroleum Engineer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Reservoir Simulation, Drilling, Production Optimization. Relevant certifications such as PE License or FE Exam can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Petroleum Engineers?
The job market for Petroleum Engineers is projected to grow by 3% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 18K Petroleum Engineer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Petroleum Engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for Petroleum Engineers include Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $142,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Petroleum Engineer salary?
To increase your Petroleum Engineer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Reservoir Simulation and Drilling. Pursue certifications such as PE License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Houston. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $88,700 to $191,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Petroleum Engineer Salary
How we calculate Petroleum Engineer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $144,910, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Petroleum Engineers; BLS mean $157,150; BLS hourly median $69.67.
- Entry-level ($88,700) and senior-level ($191,000) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +3% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 18,060 Petroleum Engineers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Engineering sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $144,910; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Petroleum Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Petroleum Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Engineering
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Petroleum Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Reservoir Simulation, Drilling, Production Optimization), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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