Petroleum Engineers Salary in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
The median pay for a petroleum engineers in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA is $151,240/year ($72.71/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $223K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.53), so that salary is closer to $136,832 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,693/month — about 30.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $151K get you in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura?
About petroleum engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
Entry-level petroleum engineers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $151K.Top earners bring in $223K or more - a $144K 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 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum engineers make in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA?
The median is $151,240 a year - that works out to about $72.71 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,510, and experienced petroleum engineers can clear $222,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $151K enough to live in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,660/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,693/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a petroleum engineers salary go in Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura?
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura has a Regional Price Parity of 110.53 (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 $136,832 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.