Petroleum Engineers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for petroleum engineers in the United States was $144,910 ($69.67 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,440 | $39.16 |
| 25th | $106,270 | $51.09 |
| Median | $144,910 | $69.67 |
| 75th | $197,920 | $95.16 |
| 90th | $253,200 | $121.73 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 17-2171
- Total U.S. employment: 18,060
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
With approximately 18,060 petroleum engineers employed, this is a significant occupation in the labor market.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $81,440, median pay is $144,910, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $253,200.
Petroleum Engineers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | — | — | — | 50 |
| Alaska | $206,290 | $99.18 | +42.4% | 280 |
| California | $143,590 | $69.03 | -0.9% | 1,060 |
| Colorado | $172,190 | $82.78 | +18.8% | 1,390 |
| Florida | — | — | — | 40 |
| Kansas | $115,640 | $55.60 | -20.2% | 110 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 | $67.13 | -3.6% | 710 |
| Michigan | — | — | — | 580 |
| Minnesota | — | — | — | 40 |
| Montana | $104,060 | $50.03 | -28.2% | 0 |
| Nebraska | $100,800 | $48.46 | -30.4% | 150 |
| New Mexico | $99,900 | $48.03 | -31.1% | 260 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 | $63.52 | -8.8% | 130 |
| Ohio | $99,260 | $47.72 | -31.5% | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 | $73.57 | +5.6% | 1,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,880 | $48.98 | -29.7% | 600 |
| Tennessee | — | — | — | 70 |
| Texas | $164,860 | $79.26 | +13.8% | 9,140 |
| Utah | $172,840 | $83.10 | +19.3% | 280 |
| Washington | $134,800 | $64.81 | -7.0% | 190 |
| West Virginia | $93,360 | $44.89 | -35.6% | 380 |
| Wyoming | — | — | — | 280 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for petroleum engineers?
The median annual wage for petroleum engineers is $144,910 ($69.67 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays petroleum engineers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many petroleum engineers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 18,060 petroleum engineers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do petroleum engineers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $69.67. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.