SOC 172171

Petroleum Engineers

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

National Median

$141,280

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$141,280

Entry Level (10th pct)

$78,840

Experienced (90th pct)

$228,790

Total Employed

18,970

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$78,840 - $107,330
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$107,330 - $191,100
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$191,100 - $228,790

Highest Paying Locations for Petroleum Engineers

Anchorage, AK

$205,380

+45.4% vs national

Alaska

$200,750

+42.1% vs national

Amarillo, TX

$199,990

+41.6% vs national

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

$184,250

+30.4% vs national

High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area

$178,010

+26.0% vs national

Petroleum Engineers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Anchorage, AK	$205,380	220
Alaska	$200,750	310
Amarillo, TX	$199,990	50
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX	$184,250	260
High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area	$178,010	160
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$174,440	80
Salt Lake City-Murray, UT	$174,410	150
Oklahoma City, OK	$173,400	680
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$168,740	790
Colorado	$167,540	1,140
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	$167,090	160
Utah	$166,580	380
Midland, TX	$165,880	1,180
Tennessee	$164,240	50
Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$163,390	80
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$163,310	60
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$161,320	300
Wichita Falls, TX	$160,890	60
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$159,990	5,080
Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area	$159,470	110
Ogden, UT	$156,050	50
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$154,490	1,100
Lake Charles, LA	$153,830	70
Texas	$153,200	10,640
Wyoming	$152,770	320
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$151,240	50
California	$147,780	1,190
New Orleans-Metairie, LA	$143,400	360
Lubbock, TX	$143,120	160
Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$142,470	30
Oklahoma	$142,470	1,290
Casper, WY	$141,000	60
New Jersey	$140,800	30
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$139,940	280
Louisiana	$134,630	920
Odessa, TX	$134,280	310
Corpus Christi, TX	$133,690	160
Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$132,840	100
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$132,680	60
North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$131,970	170
Michigan	$131,250	80
West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$130,090	130
North Dakota	$130,090	190
Washington	$129,660	170
Billings, MT	$129,350	70
Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area	$128,900	50
Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$128,600	420
Minnesota	$128,580	60
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$128,580	50
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area	$128,390	280

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Petroleum Engineers?

The national median annual salary for Petroleum Engineers is $141,280, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Petroleum Engineerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Petroleum Engineerss is Anchorage, AK, with a median salary of $205,380.

How much can an experienced Petroleum Engineers make?

Top-earning Petroleum Engineerss (90th percentile) make $228,790 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.