SOC 17-2171 · May 2025
Petroleum Engineer Salary
Petroleum Engineers in the US earn a median of $144,910 a year ($75.55 an hour on average), according to the BLS May 2025 wage survey. The top 10% earn $253,200 or more, 3.1 times the $81,440 at the 10th percentile.
Median annual
$144,910
Half of all Petroleum Engineers in the United States earn more than this figure, half earn less. From the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release.
Wage trend
+0.2% since 2019 · +2.3% YoY
Hourly
$75.55
Job growth 2025-35
+2%
US workers
18,060
BLS series
Annual median wage for Petroleum Engineers in All Industries in the United States
Salary range
From entry to top decile
The 10th-to-90th percentile spread for Petroleum Engineers is $81,440 – $253,200.
Percentile distribution
USD · annual
10th
$81,440
25th
$106,270
Median
$144,910
75th
$197,920
90th
$253,200
Percentile bands
Where your pay would sit
Percentile bands
Annual wages at each point of the BLS distribution for Petroleum Engineers. Where you sit depends on experience, employer, location and credentials.
| Percentile | What it means | Annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 10% earn less. Common for new entrants | $81,440 |
| 25th percentile | A quarter earn less | $106,270 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $144,910 |
| 75th percentile | A quarter earn more | $197,920 |
| 90th percentile | 10% earn more. Often senior or specialist staff | $253,200 |
Geography
Petroleum Engineer pay by state
Petroleum Engineers earn the most in Alaska ($206,290, +42% against the national median) and the least in West Virginia ($93,360). BLS publishes a May 2025 estimate for this occupation in 16 of 51 states and D.C.
National median
$144,910
Highest-paying states for petroleum engineers
| State | Annual median | vs national | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 | +42% | 280 |
| Utah | $172,840 | +19% | 280 |
| Colorado | $172,190 | +19% | 1,390 |
| Texas | $164,860 | +14% | 9,140 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 | +6% | 1,450 |
| California | $143,590 | -1% | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 | -4% | 710 |
| Washington | $134,800 | -7% | 190 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 | -9% | 130 |
| Kansas | $115,640 | -20% | 110 |
All 16 states, highest to lowest
| State | Annual median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 | 280 |
| Utah | $172,840 | 280 |
| Colorado | $172,190 | 1,390 |
| Texas | $164,860 | 9,140 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 | 1,450 |
| California | $143,590 | 1,060 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 | 710 |
| Washington | $134,800 | 190 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 | 130 |
| Kansas | $115,640 | 110 |
| Montana | $104,060 | – |
| Pennsylvania | $101,880 | 600 |
| Nebraska | $100,800 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $99,900 | 260 |
| Ohio | $99,260 | 200 |
| West Virginia | $93,360 | 380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state estimates, May 2025, all industries.
What affects this salary
Pay drivers for Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum engineers (BLS SOC 17-2171) design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth's surface. The role typically requires a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related field; PE licensure is standard for senior project work. Major-IOC and large-independent operator pay typically exceeds the OEWS median; service-company and consulting roles vary widely.
The 10th-to-90th percentile spread is $81,440 – $253,200. That gap reflects experience, certification, employer type, geographic cost of living, and shift differentials where applicable.
Geography matters. The best-paying states for this role are Alaska, Utah and Colorado. Pay in Alaska runs 2.2 times the level in West Virginia, before any adjustment for cost of living.
Getting in. BLS lists the typical entry-level education as bachelor's degree, and projects about 1,000 openings a year over 2025-35. Employment is projected to grow 2% over the same period, against 3.5% for all occupations.
Frequently asked
Questions readers ask
Frequently asked
What is the average Petroleum Engineer salary in the US?
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make an hour?
How much do Petroleum Engineers make at the low and high end?
Which state pays Petroleum Engineers the most?
Is the average Petroleum Engineer salary higher than the median?
Is Petroleum Engineer a growing career?
Open positions
Open Petroleum Engineer roles hiring now
Browse current Petroleum Engineer listings on Indeed and ZipRecruiter, filtered to your role.
Source & methodology
Wage and employment figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025 release. Standard Occupational Classification: 17-2171. Figures represent the national median, mean, and percentile distribution across all employers and industries. Hourly equivalents assume a 2,080-hour work year. Job growth, annual openings and typical education are from the BLS Employment Projections program, 2025-35; see the Occupational Outlook Handbook entry. Read our methodology for details on how the data is sourced, transformed, and refreshed.