Petroleum Engineers Salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
The median pay for a petroleum engineers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $161,320/year ($77.56/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $86K at the entry level to $199K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 113.57), so that salary is closer to $142,045 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,601/month, or 27.3% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $161K get you in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
About petroleum engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Entry-level petroleum engineers (10th percentile) start around $86K. Mid-career wages sit at $161K.Top earners bring in $199K or more - a $113K 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum engineers make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median is $161,320 a year - that works out to about $77.56 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $85,760, and experienced petroleum engineers can clear $198,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $161K enough to live in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,156/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,601/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28.4% 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim has a Regional Price Parity of 113.57 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median petroleum engineers salary is worth about $142,045 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.