PathScorer

    Petroleum Engineer Salary in 2026

    SOC: 17-2171.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $141,280
    per year
    Salary Range
    $79K – $229K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    18,970
    employed
    Job Growth
    +1.3%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Petroleum Engineers Make?

    Petroleum Engineers earn a median annual salary of $141,280 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $78,840 at the 10th percentile to $228,790 at the 90th percentile — a range of $149,950. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $200,750.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$78,840
    25th percentile$107,330
    Median (50th)$141,280
    75th percentile$191,100
    90th percentile$228,790
    10th: $78,840Median: $141,28090th: $228,790
    Section 02

    Petroleum Engineer Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Alaskatop$200,750
    Colorado$167,540
    Utah$166,580
    Tennessee$164,240
    Texas$153,200
    Wyoming$152,770
    California$147,780
    Oklahoma$142,470
    New Jersey$140,800
    Louisiana$134,630
    Michigan$131,250
    North Dakota$130,090
    Washington$129,660
    Minnesota$128,580
    Kansas$118,020
    New Mexico$118,010
    Ohio$108,070
    Nebraska$107,250
    West Virginia$102,900
    Arkansas$102,110
    New York$95,210
    Pennsylvania$92,930
    Montana$84,380
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Petroleum Engineers

    Anchorage, AK
    Highest paying
    $205,380
    top metro salary
    Alaska
    $200,750
    $-4,630 vs highest
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
    $184,250
    $-21,130 vs highest
    High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area
    $178,010
    $-27,370 vs highest
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT
    $174,410
    $-30,970 vs highest
    Oklahoma City, OK
    $173,400
    $-31,980 vs highest
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
    $168,740
    $-36,640 vs highest
    Colorado
    $167,540
    $-37,840 vs highest
    Section 04

    Petroleum Engineer Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$78,840 – $107,330
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$141,280
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$191,100
    Senior (15+ yrs)$228,790+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Petroleum Engineer

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Petroleum Engineers in Anchorage, AK earn $205,380 — $64,100 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($191,100) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Petroleum Engineer Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Petroleum Engineerthis career$141,280
    Geothermal Production Manager$121,440
    Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Manager$167,740
    Chemical Engineer$121,860
    Civil Engineer$99,590

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Career Guide
    Learn how to become a Petroleum Engineer →
    AI Automation Risk
    Petroleum Engineer AI exposure analysis →

    SOC: 17-2171.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.