Petroleum Engineers Salary in Billings, MT
The median pay for a petroleum engineers in Billings, MT is $129,350/year ($62.19/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $84K at the entry level to $156K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.53), which stretches that salary to about $138,298 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,417/month, or 18% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $129K get you in Billings?
About petroleum engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Billings, MT
Entry-level petroleum engineers (10th percentile) start around $84K. Mid-career wages sit at $129K.Top earners bring in $156K or more - a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Petroleum Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $201K | +42% | 310 |
| Utah | $167K | +18% | 380 |
| Tennessee | $164K | +16% | 50 |
| Texas | $153K | +8% | 10,640 |
| Wyoming | $153K | +8% | 320 |
| California | $148K | +5% | 1,190 |
| Oklahoma | $142K | +1% | 1,290 |
| New Jersey | $141K | -0% | 30 |
| Louisiana | $135K | -5% | 920 |
| Michigan | $131K | -7% | 80 |
| North Dakota | $130K | -8% | 190 |
| Washington | $130K | -8% | 170 |
| Minnesota | $129K | -9% | 60 |
| Kansas | $118K | -16% | 160 |
| New Mexico | $118K | -16% | 390 |
Track petroleum engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Billings numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum engineers make in Billings, MT?
The median is $129,350 a year - that works out to about $62.19 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $84,370, and experienced petroleum engineers can clear $156,470. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $129K enough to live in Billings?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,720/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,417/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 18.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a petroleum engineers salary go in Billings?
Billings has a Regional Price Parity of 93.53 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median petroleum engineers salary is worth about $138,298 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do petroleum engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.