Aerospace Engineer vs Petroleum Engineer Salary
Petroleum engineers earned a median of $144,910 a year in May 2025, $9,950 (7%) more than aerospace engineers at $134,960, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How do the two jobs compare?
| Measure | Aerospace Engineer | Petroleum Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $134,960 | $144,910 |
| Median hourly | $64.89 | $69.67 |
| Mean annual | $142,060 | $157,150 |
| 10th percentile | $86,700 | $81,440 |
| 90th percentile | $205,890 | $253,200 |
| Jobs on record | 67,710 | 18,060 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | +8.3% | +2.0% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
Source: BLS OEWS national file, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035. Wage and salary jobs only; the self-employed are not counted. Confirm any figure in the OEWS tables at bls.gov.
What is the pay range for aerospace engineers?
Pay for aerospace engineers runs from $86,700 at the 10th percentile to $205,890 at the 90th, around a median of $134,960.
What is the pay range for petroleum engineers?
Pay for petroleum engineers runs from $81,440 at the 10th percentile to $253,200 at the 90th, around a median of $144,910.
Source: BLS OEWS national file, May 2025.
Which job pays more in each state?
Aerospace engineers earn more than petroleum engineers in 7 of 13 states and territories where both have a published median. The widest gap is in Alaska, where petroleum engineers lead by $104,580. That gap rests on a figure out of line with the rest of the country: $101,710 for aerospace engineers there, against a $135,670 median across states. Leaving such states out, the widest gap is in Ohio, where aerospace engineers lead by $39,180.
| State | Aerospace Engineer | Petroleum Engineer | Aerospace Engineer minus Petroleum Engineer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $101,710 | $206,290 | -$104,580 |
| California | $157,620 | $143,590 | +$14,030 |
| Colorado | $156,190 | $172,190 | -$16,000 |
| Kansas | $130,330 | $115,640 | +$14,690 |
| Louisiana | $136,970 | $139,640 | -$2,670 |
| Nebraska | $135,670 | $100,800 | +$34,870 |
| New Mexico | $132,850 | $99,900 | +$32,950 |
| Ohio | $138,440 | $99,260 | +$39,180 |
| Oklahoma | $125,470 | $153,020 | -$27,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,940 | $101,880 | +$32,060 |
| Texas | $130,270 | $164,860 | -$34,590 |
| Utah | $135,840 | $172,840 | -$37,000 |
| Washington | $158,370 | $134,800 | +$23,570 |
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.