How much does a petroleum engineer make?
The median petroleum engineer in the United States earns $141,280 per year, about $67.92 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all petroleum engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 17-2171.
Petroleum engineer salary range
Pay for petroleum engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $78,840 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $228,790. The average (mean) wage of $153,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,840 | $37.90 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $107,330 | $51.60 | |
| Median (50th) | $141,280 | $67.92 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $191,100 | $91.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $228,790 | $110.00 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for petroleum engineers (SOC 17-2171), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Petroleum engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Petroleum engineers earn the most in Alaska at $200,750 a year, and the least in Montana at $84,380. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $200,750 | 310 |
| Colorado | $167,540 | 1,140 |
| Utah | $166,580 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $164,240 | 50 |
| Texas | $153,200 | 10,640 |
| Wyoming | $152,770 | 320 |
| California | $147,780 | 1,190 |
| Oklahoma | $142,470 | 1,290 |
| New Jersey | $140,800 | 30 |
| Louisiana | $134,630 | 920 |
| Michigan | $131,250 | 80 |
| North Dakota | $130,090 | 190 |
| Washington | $129,660 | 170 |
| Minnesota | $128,580 | 60 |
| Kansas | $118,020 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $118,010 | 390 |
| Ohio | $108,070 | 170 |
| Nebraska | $107,250 | 70 |
| West Virginia | $102,900 | 160 |
| Arkansas | $102,110 | 30 |
| New York | $95,210 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $92,930 | 470 |
| Montana | $84,380 | 200 |
State median wages for petroleum engineers (SOC 17-2171), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for petroleum engineers
The BLS projects employment of petroleum engineers to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 18,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 18,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for petroleum engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a petroleum engineer
The typical entry-level education for petroleum engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a petroleum engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $200,750) and the lowest (Montana, $84,380) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 18,970 people work as petroleum engineers in the United States. At $141,280 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Petroleum engineer salary FAQ
How much does a petroleum engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a petroleum engineer is $67.92. The middle half of petroleum engineers earn between $51.60 and $91.87 per hour.
What is the highest petroleum engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of petroleum engineers earn more than $228,790 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a petroleum engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a petroleum engineer is $141,280. The average (mean) wage of $153,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a petroleum engineer a well paid job?
At $141,280 a year, a petroleum engineer earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 18,970 people work as petroleum engineers in the United States.
Which state pays petroleum engineers the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for petroleum engineers at $200,750 a year. Colorado ($167,540) and Utah ($166,580) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a petroleum engineer a good career?
Employment of petroleum engineers is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a petroleum engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for petroleum engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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