Petroleum Engineer Salary Overview
The Petroleum Engineer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $137,720. Compensation typically ranges from $77,800 for entry-level positions to $208,000 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Petroleum Engineer in the US earns between $77,800 and $208,000 per year, with a median of $137,720.
Petroleum Engineer Salary by Experience
Entry-level petroleum engineers earn around $89,518, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $185,922 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $86,764 | $42/hr | $65,218 |
| Mid | $137,720 | $66/hr | $95,939 |
| Senior | $172,150 | $83/hr | $116,270 |
| Lead | $214,843 | $103/hr | $143,545 |
Petroleum Engineer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Petroleum Engineer in each US state.
Pay for petroleum engineers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,721 | $10,536 | $98,164 | 28.7% |
| Alaska | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| Arizona | $137,720 | $22,300 | $3,078 | $10,536 | $101,807 | 26.1% |
| Arkansas | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,834 | $10,536 | $99,051 | 28.1% |
| California | $137,720 | $22,300 | $8,946 | $10,536 | $95,939 | 30.3% |
| Colorado | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,400 | $10,536 | $99,485 | 27.8% |
| Connecticut | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,013 | $10,536 | $97,871 | 28.9% |
| Delaware | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,859 | $10,536 | $97,026 | 29.5% |
| District of Columbia | $137,720 | $22,300 | $8,865 | $10,536 | $96,019 | 30.3% |
| Florida | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| Georgia | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,902 | $10,536 | $97,983 | 28.9% |
| Hawaii | $137,720 | $22,300 | $10,434 | $10,536 | $94,451 | 31.4% |
| Idaho | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,141 | $10,536 | $97,744 | 29.0% |
| Illinois | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,680 | $10,536 | $98,205 | 28.7% |
| Indiana | $137,720 | $22,300 | $4,200 | $10,536 | $100,684 | 26.9% |
| Iowa | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,233 | $10,536 | $99,651 | 27.6% |
| Kansas | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,193 | $10,536 | $97,692 | 29.1% |
| Kentucky | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,382 | $10,536 | $99,502 | 27.8% |
| Louisiana | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,272 | $10,536 | $99,613 | 27.7% |
| Maine | $137,720 | $22,300 | $8,309 | $10,536 | $96,575 | 29.9% |
| Maryland | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,481 | $10,536 | $98,403 | 28.5% |
| Massachusetts | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,666 | $10,536 | $98,219 | 28.7% |
| Michigan | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,615 | $10,536 | $99,270 | 27.9% |
| Minnesota | $137,720 | $22,300 | $8,114 | $10,536 | $96,770 | 29.7% |
| Mississippi | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,895 | $10,536 | $98,990 | 28.1% |
| Missouri | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,740 | $10,536 | $99,145 | 28.0% |
| Montana | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,018 | $10,536 | $97,867 | 28.9% |
| Nebraska | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,522 | $10,536 | $98,362 | 28.6% |
| Nevada | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| New Hampshire | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| New Jersey | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,647 | $10,536 | $98,238 | 28.7% |
| New Mexico | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,753 | $10,536 | $99,131 | 28.0% |
| New York | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,571 | $10,536 | $97,313 | 29.3% |
| North Carolina | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,624 | $10,536 | $99,261 | 27.9% |
| North Dakota | $137,720 | $22,300 | $2,401 | $10,536 | $102,484 | 25.6% |
| Ohio | $137,720 | $22,300 | $3,350 | $10,536 | $101,534 | 26.3% |
| Oklahoma | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,052 | $10,536 | $98,833 | 28.2% |
| Oregon | $137,720 | $22,300 | $11,640 | $10,536 | $93,245 | 32.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $137,720 | $22,300 | $4,228 | $10,536 | $100,657 | 26.9% |
| Rhode Island | $137,720 | $22,300 | $5,306 | $10,536 | $99,579 | 27.7% |
| South Carolina | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,187 | $10,536 | $97,698 | 29.1% |
| South Dakota | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| Tennessee | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| Texas | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| Utah | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,404 | $10,536 | $98,481 | 28.5% |
| Vermont | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,355 | $10,536 | $97,530 | 29.2% |
| Virginia | $137,720 | $22,300 | $7,403 | $10,536 | $97,482 | 29.2% |
| Washington | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
| West Virginia | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,163 | $10,536 | $98,722 | 28.3% |
| Wisconsin | $137,720 | $22,300 | $6,211 | $10,536 | $98,673 | 28.4% |
| Wyoming | $137,720 | $22,300 | $0 | $10,536 | $104,885 | 23.8% |
Top Cities for Petroleum Engineer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for petroleum engineers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $151,492 |
| Anchorage, AK | $151,492 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $151,492 |
| Midland, TX | $151,492 |
| New Orleans, LA | $151,492 |
Calculate Petroleum Engineer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
--
--
--
Gross Annual
--
Total Tax
--
Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
--
State Tax
--
Social Security
--
Medicare
--
Tax Distribution
Calculating...
Pay Frequency Breakdown
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculating... | |||
How to Become a Petroleum Engineer
Becoming a petroleum engineer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Petroleum Engineer Career Outlook
Employment of petroleum engineers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Petroleum Engineer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for petroleum engineers in the US is $137,720, with a typical range from $77,800 to $208,000 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for petroleum engineers include TX, AK, OK. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level petroleum engineers can expect to earn around $89,518 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a petroleum engineer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for petroleum engineers is approximately $66.21, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.