The median pay for Petroleum Engineers is $144,910 a year ($69.67/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 2.0% through 2035, with about 1,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2171
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Petroleum Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $144,910a year, or $69.67/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $81KTop 10% $253K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.0%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,00018,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202518.5K
- Projected 203518.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 18.5K Projected 2035 18.8K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school7.6%
- Bachelor's71.6%
- Master's5.4%
- Post-master’s certificate15.4%
Highest education held by petroleum engineers Segment Value High school 7.6% Bachelor's 71.6% Master's 5.4% Post-master’s certificate 15.4%
Also advertised as: Completion Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Engineer, Operations Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Petroleum Production Engineer.
Pay
How much do Petroleum Engineers make?
Every petroleum engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$144,910
Middle half earn $106,270 to $197,920
- 10th
- $81,440
- 25th
- $106,270
- 75th
- $197,920
- 90th
- $253,200
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $81,440 |
| 25th | $106,270 |
| Median | $144,910 |
| 75th | $197,920 |
| 90th | $253,200 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $144,910
- Median hourly wage
- $69.67/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $157,150
- People employed
- 18,060
Versus all US occupations
At $144,910, Petroleum Engineers earn 184% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $93,930 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 39% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $253,200 or more while the bottom 10% earn $81,440, a gap of 3.1×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 92% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $206,290, and still leads at $201,536 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Petroleum Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $206,290 | $201,536 | 280 |
| 2Utah | $172,840 | $174,826 | 280 |
| 3Colorado | $172,190 | $167,090 | 1,390 |
| 4Texas | $164,860 | $169,859 | 9,140 |
| 5Oklahoma | $153,020 | $174,197 | 1,450 |
| 6California | $143,590 | $129,688 | 1,060 |
| 7Louisiana | $139,640 | $158,309 | 710 |
| 8Washington | $134,800 | $125,966 | 190 |
| 9North Dakota | $132,120 | $148,518 | 130 |
| 10Kansas | $115,640 | $128,392 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Petroleum Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineers | +2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Petroleum Engineers to change 2.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,000 openings are projected each year, 5.4% of the 18,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,000 openings for petroleum engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The need for petroleum engineers to help facilitate oil and gas extraction at existing operations is expected to create some demand for these workers. U.S. oil and gas production may fluctuate based on changes in current global supply and demand or the future energy outlook, which in turn might affect employment of petroleum engineers.
Getting in
How to become a Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering. Employers also value practical experience, which students sometimes gain through internships.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as petroleum engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree71.6%
- Post-Master's Certificate15.4%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7.6%
- Master's Degree5.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 71.6% |
| Post-Master's Certificate | 15.4% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 7.6% |
| Master's Degree | 5.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Petroleum Engineer do?
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Petroleum engineers devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production. They also oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Day-to-day tasks
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes.
- Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most petroleum engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Extended shifts may be necessary when traveling to and from drilling sites or when helping to troubleshoot operations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where petroleum engineers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Oil and gas extraction33%
- Support activities for mining18%
- Engineering services9%
- Management of companies and enterprises8%
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Oil and gas extraction | 33% |
| Support activities for mining | 18% |
| Engineering services | 9% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 8% |
| Petroleum and coal products manufacturing | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Active Learning3.8
- Monitoring3.8
- Science3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Science | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Systems Analysis3.9
- Systems Evaluation3.9
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Coordination3.6
- Time Management3.6
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.9 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Petroleum Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Petroleum Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic5.4
- Investigative5.3
- Conventional4.3
- Enterprising3.0
- Artistic1.9
- Social1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Petroleum Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Mining and Geological Engineer, Including Mining Safety Engineers
$106,220median a year
Most earn $67K to $170K
+3.8%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
- Management
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with petroleum engineers highlighted
- Petroleum Engineer$144,910
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | $144,910 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within petroleum engineer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Petroleum Engineer appears on
Questions
Petroleum Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Petroleum Engineers make?
Petroleum Engineers earn a median of $144,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 184% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $69.67/hr. The middle half earn between $106,270 and $197,920. The top 10% earn $253,200 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Petroleum Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Petroleum Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 71.6% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Petroleum Engineer a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.0% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Petroleum Engineer do?
Petroleum engineers devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production. A core O*NET task: assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Petroleum Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Petroleum Engineers are Alaska ($206,290), Utah ($172,840), Colorado ($172,190) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Petroleum Engineer?
O*NET scores Petroleum Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.