17 Series · SOC 17-2171

Petroleum Engineers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$144,910
Median / year
$253,200
Top 10% earn
+1.3%
Growth '23–'33
18,060
US workers

Petroleum Engineers earn a median of $144,910 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $144,910, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $81,440 (10th percentile) to $253,200 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 18,060 US workers. Alaska pays the most ($206,290), since pay varies by state and metro area.

17 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Petroleum Engineers earn a median of $144,910, putting them among the better-paid US occupations and higher than 95% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Architecture and Engineering, it ranks #2 of 36 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 1.3% by 2033.

$144,910
Median annual wage
Top 5%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#2 of 36
in Architecture and Engineering
3.1×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Alaska at $206,290. Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171) pays a national median of $144,910 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $81,440 at the 10th percentile to $253,200 at the 90th, with a mean of $157,150 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 18,060 Americans work in this occupation across 16 reporting states and 52 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a +1.3% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as slower than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 1,200 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Bachelor's degree. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 2 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.5 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Alaska pays the highest state median at $206,290, which is +42% above the national figure. The top metro is Anchorage, AK at $212,240 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 18,060 jobs Median $144,910/yr

Median Salary

$144,910

per year

Median Hourly

$69.67/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$157,150

average

Employment

18,060

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Petroleum Engineers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$144,910 Top 5% higher than 95% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Below this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Below this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Below this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Below this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). This entry sits in this band. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 17-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Petroleum Engineers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 24 17-series occupations with growth data, Petroleum Engineers sits on the slower-growing side at +1.3% growth and $144,910 median pay.

Among 24 17-series occupations with growth data, Petroleum Engineers sits on the slower-growing side at +1.3% growth and $144,910 median pay. Scatter plot of 24 data points. $0$50000$100000$150000$200000 -10%-5%0%5%10%15% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 24 17-series occupations with growth data, Petroleum Engineers sits on the slower-growing side at +1.3% growth and $144,910 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

+1.3%

Slower than average

Annual Openings

1,200

per year (projected)

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
A

Very Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

2/100K

Injury Rate

0.5/100

Danger Index

3/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Petroleum Engineers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Active Listening 3.9
Writing 3.9
Speaking 3.9
Complex Problem Solving 3.9
Judgment and Decision Making 3.9
Systems Analysis 3.9
Systems Evaluation 3.9
Active Learning 3.8

Knowledge Areas

Engineering and Technology 4.4
Mathematics 4.1
Physics 3.5
Computers and Electronics 3.5
Chemistry 3.4
Administration and Management 3.4
Economics and Accounting 3.2
Administrative 3.2
English Language 3.1
Design 3.1

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
  • ▸ Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
  • ▸ Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
  • ▸ Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
  • ▸ Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
  • ▸ Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
  • ▸ Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
  • ▸ Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
  • ▸ Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
  • ▸ Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$81,440$106,270$144,910$197,920$253,200
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$39.16$51.09$69.67$95.16$121.73
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$81,440

25th Percentile

$106,270

Median

$144,910

75th Percentile

$197,920

90th Percentile

$253,200

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Alaska $206,290 2. Utah $172,840 3. Colorado $172,190 4. Texas $164,860 5. Oklahoma $153,020

Lowest Paying States

12. West Virginia $93,360 13. Ohio $99,260 14. New Mexico $99,900 15. Nebraska $100,800 16. Pennsylvania $101,880
View all 16 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Alaska $206,290 +42% above national
2 Utah $172,840 +19% above national
3 Colorado $172,190 +19% above national
4 Texas $164,860 +14% above national
5 Oklahoma $153,020 +6% above national
6 California $143,590 1% below national
7 Louisiana $139,640 4% below national
8 Washington $134,800 7% below national
9 North Dakota $132,120 9% below national
10 Kansas $115,640 20% below national
11 Montana $104,060 28% below national
12 Pennsylvania $101,880 30% below national
13 Nebraska $100,800 30% below national
14 New Mexico $99,900 31% below national
15 Ohio $99,260 32% below national
16 West Virginia $93,360 36% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Anchorage, AK $212,240 2. Alaska nonmetropolitan area $183,400 3. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $180,230 4. Oklahoma City, OK $176,200 5. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $174,580

Lowest Paying Metros

48. Charleston, WV $88,860 49. Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $93,400 50. Lincoln, NE $98,010 51. Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $99,220 52. Columbus, OH $99,260
View all 52 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Anchorage, AK $212,240 +46% above national
2 Alaska nonmetropolitan area $183,400 +27% above national
3 Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $180,230 +24% above national
4 Oklahoma City, OK $176,200 +22% above national
5 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $174,580 +20% above national
6 High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area $172,840 +19% above national
7 Midland, TX $172,070 +19% above national
8 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $169,870 +17% above national
9 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $168,860 +17% above national
10 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $168,600 +16% above national
11 Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $167,600 +16% above national
12 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $167,000 +15% above national
13 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $166,570 +15% above national
14 Lubbock, TX $164,480 +14% above national
15 Grand Junction, CO $161,940 +12% above national
16 Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $161,050 +11% above national
17 Ogden, UT $158,300 +9% above national
18 Corpus Christi, TX $155,870 +8% above national
19 New Orleans-Metairie, LA $148,390 +2% above national
20 Bakersfield-Delano, CA $147,440 +2% above national
21 Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $146,850 +1% above national
22 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $143,590 1% below national
23 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $135,630 6% below national
24 Odessa, TX $135,620 6% below national
25 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $134,800 7% below national
26 West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $134,780 7% below national
27 Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $133,010 8% below national
28 Tyler, TX $132,530 9% below national
29 Greeley, CO $132,240 9% below national
30 Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $131,760 9% below national
31 El Paso, TX $131,740 9% below national
32 Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $131,480 9% below national
33 Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $131,460 9% below national
34 Tulsa, OK $130,750 10% below national
35 Pittsburgh, PA $130,230 10% below national
36 South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area $130,230 10% below national
37 North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area $126,420 13% below national
38 Casper, WY $125,640 13% below national
39 Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area $124,940 14% below national
40 Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $121,420 16% below national
41 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $120,460 17% below national
42 Kansas nonmetropolitan area $118,650 18% below national
43 Wichita, KS $111,590 23% below national
44 Farmington, NM $111,570 23% below national
45 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $106,650 26% below national
46 Longview, TX $101,290 30% below national
47 Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $99,900 31% below national
48 Columbus, OH $99,260 32% below national
49 Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $99,220 32% below national
50 Lincoln, NE $98,010 32% below national
51 Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area $93,400 36% below national
52 Charleston, WV $88,860 39% below national

Similar Occupations in the Same Category

Other roles in SOC major group 17 (architecture and engineering) with comparable pay and career paths.

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

SOC 17-3021

Aerospace Engineers

SOC 17-2011

Agricultural Engineers

SOC 17-2021

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval

SOC 17-1011

Architectural and Civil Drafters

SOC 17-3011
Compare Petroleum Engineers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Petroleum Engineers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Petroleum Engineers is $144,910 ($69.67/hour). The salary range spans from $81,440 at the 10th percentile to $253,200 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Petroleum Engineers the most? ▼
Alaska pays the highest median salary for Petroleum Engineers at $206,290/year, which is +42% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Petroleum Engineers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Petroleum Engineers is Bachelor's degree.
How dangerous is being a Petroleum Engineers? ▼
Petroleum Engineers has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 2 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.5 per 100 workers.
Is Petroleum Engineers a good career? ▼
Employment for Petroleum Engineers is projected to grow 1.3% from 2024 to 2034, which is slower than average. About 1,200 openings are projected each year.
How does Petroleum Engineers pay vary by state? ▼
Petroleum Engineers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $206,290/year, while Pennsylvania pays the least at $101,880/year. BLS data covers 16 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Petroleum Engineers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Petroleum Engineers is Anchorage, AK at $212,240/year. BLS reports wage data for 52 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Petroleum Engineers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $197,920/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Alaska leads at $206,290/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.