Petroleum Engineers Salary in U.S. (2024)
The median pay for a petroleum engineers in U.S. is $141,280/year ($67.92/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $229K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $141K get you in U.S.?
About petroleum engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level petroleum engineers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $141K.Top earners bring in $229K or more - a $150K 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 U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum engineers make in U.S.?
The median is $141,280 a year - that works out to about $67.92 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,840, and experienced petroleum engineers can clear $228,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $141K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,943/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 15.8% 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 U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median petroleum engineers salary is worth about $141,280 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.