Petroleum Engineers Salary (2025)
Based on 18,060 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $81,440 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $106,270 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $144,910 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $197,920 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $253,200 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$81K
25th
$106K
Median
$145K
75th
$198K
90th
$253K
Highest Paying States for Petroleum Engineers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $199,700 |
| Texas | $171,580 |
| Colorado | $170,270 |
| Utah | $169,810 |
| Oklahoma | $155,900 |
| Washington | $149,490 |
| California | $147,940 |
| Louisiana | $138,270 |
| North Dakota | $130,910 |
| Kansas | $128,430 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Petroleum Engineers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Alaska at an average of $199,700 per year, while Kansas has an average of $128,430 — a difference of $71,270. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Petroleum Engineers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 18,060 workers were employed as Petroleum Engineerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Architecture and Engineering Occupations. The annual mean wage of $157,150 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 17-2171