Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
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.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSpeaking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Petroleum Engineer pay by experience level
Entry level$84,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$110,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$150,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$205,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$262,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.3%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,200
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Petroleum Engineer salary by industry
Oil and Gas Extraction
5,900 workers
$201,000
Oil and Gas Extraction
5,900 workers
$201,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
3,450 workers
$127,000
Support Activities for Mining
3,290 workers
$133,000
Support Activities for Mining
3,290 workers
$133,000
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
1,840 workers
$121,500
Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,670 workers
$184,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
1,670 workers
$184,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
1,310 workers
$116,000
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
1,070 workers
$165,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Petroleum Engineer pays 50% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make?
The average base salary for a Petroleum Engineer in the United States is $162,500 per year, or about $78.13 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $110,000 and $205,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
