Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171) earn a median $144,910 a year ($69.67 an hour) in the United States, with 18,060 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Alaska.
What petroleum engineers do
Petroleum engineers work out how to extract oil and gas from underground reservoirs efficiently and economically. Typical tasks include analyzing data to recommend where wells and supplementary recovery processes should go, specifying and supervising programs that modify or stimulate wells to increase recovery, and monitoring production rates and planning rework when output falls. They advise on drilling operations, offer technical guidance to field crews, and maintain records of drilling and production activity. The occupation differs from mining and geological engineers, who plan extraction of solid minerals and design underground construction, and from geoscientists, who interpret the geology but do not usually design wells. It is also distinct from petroleum pump system operators and rotary drill operators, who run the equipment. Directing and monitoring well completion, testing, and surveys, and assessing costs and the production capability and economic value of wells, are further duties.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported education level is a bachelor's degree.
Also called: Drilling Engineer, Completions Engineer, Certification Engineer, Completion Engineer, Design Engineer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $39.16 | $51.09 | $69.67 | $95.16 | $121.73 | $75.55 | 18,060 |
| Annual | $81,440 | $106,270 | $144,910 | $197,920 | $253,200 | $157,150 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where petroleum engineers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Alaska | Hourly | $62.09 | $83.68 | $99.18 | $105.52 | $133.35 | $96.01 | 280 | 0.87 | 7.53 |
| Annual | $129,150 | $174,050 | $206,290 | $219,480 | $277,360 | $199,700 | ||||
| Utah | Hourly | $48.79 | $58.65 | $83.10 | $89.84 | $102.21 | $81.64 | 280 | 0.16 | 1.40 |
| Annual | $101,490 | $122,000 | $172,840 | $186,860 | $212,590 | $169,810 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $44.51 | $53.88 | $82.78 | $102.99 | $127.39 | $81.86 | 1,390 | 0.48 | 4.16 |
| Annual | $92,590 | $112,070 | $172,190 | $214,220 | $264,960 | $170,270 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $43.26 | $59.35 | $79.26 | $105.93 | $136.30 | $82.49 | 9,140 | 0.65 | 5.60 |
| Annual | $89,990 | $123,450 | $164,860 | $220,330 | $283,500 | $171,580 | ||||
| Oklahoma | Hourly | $41.82 | $59.84 | $73.57 | $85.81 | $106.41 | $74.95 | 1,450 | 0.85 | 7.29 |
| Annual | $86,990 | $124,460 | $153,020 | $178,470 | $221,320 | $155,900 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $43.26 | $59.35 | $79.26 | $105.93 | $136.30 | $82.49 | 9,140 | 0.65 | 5.60 |
| Annual | $89,990 | $123,450 | $164,860 | $220,330 | $283,500 | $171,580 | ||||
| Oklahoma | Hourly | $41.82 | $59.84 | $73.57 | $85.81 | $106.41 | $74.95 | 1,450 | 0.85 | 7.29 |
| Annual | $86,990 | $124,460 | $153,020 | $178,470 | $221,320 | $155,900 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $44.51 | $53.88 | $82.78 | $102.99 | $127.39 | $81.86 | 1,390 | 0.48 | 4.16 |
| Annual | $92,590 | $112,070 | $172,190 | $214,220 | $264,960 | $170,270 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $29.70 | $60.82 | $69.03 | $82.68 | $99.70 | $71.13 | 1,060 | 0.06 | 0.50 |
| Annual | $61,780 | $126,500 | $143,590 | $171,980 | $207,370 | $147,940 | ||||
| Louisiana | Hourly | $20.88 | $43.21 | $67.13 | $85.97 | $106.64 | $66.48 | 710 | 0.37 | 3.17 |
| Annual | $43,440 | $89,880 | $139,640 | $178,810 | $221,800 | $138,270 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Anchorage, AK | Hourly | $65.08 | $83.68 | $102.04 | $105.52 | $133.35 | $97.71 | 200 | 1.15 | 9.93 |
| Annual | $135,370 | $174,050 | $212,240 | $219,480 | $277,360 | $203,250 | ||||
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Hourly | $42.67 | $58.65 | $86.65 | $97.85 | $102.21 | $76.26 | 110 | 0.13 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $88,740 | $122,000 | $180,230 | $203,520 | $212,590 | $158,610 | ||||
| Oklahoma City, OK | Hourly | $50.33 | $65.24 | $84.71 | $105.84 | $131.72 | $85.17 | 700 | 1.04 | 8.91 |
| Annual | $104,680 | $135,710 | $176,200 | $220,150 | $273,980 | $177,150 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $45.71 | $57.64 | $83.93 | $103.13 | $136.44 | $86.50 | 900 | 0.56 | 4.83 |
| Annual | $95,090 | $119,890 | $174,580 | $214,500 | $283,790 | $179,920 | ||||
| Midland, TX | Hourly | $43.57 | $62.64 | $82.73 | $109.56 | $143.52 | $88.53 | 940 | 7.71 | 66.36 |
| Annual | $90,620 | $130,300 | $172,070 | $227,880 | $298,530 | $184,150 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $43.26 | $60.89 | $81.67 | $108.21 | $138.72 | $85.47 | 4,770 | 1.45 | 12.50 |
| Annual | $89,990 | $126,640 | $169,870 | $225,080 | $288,530 | $177,780 | ||||
| Midland, TX | Hourly | $43.57 | $62.64 | $82.73 | $109.56 | $143.52 | $88.53 | 940 | 7.71 | 66.36 |
| Annual | $90,620 | $130,300 | $172,070 | $227,880 | $298,530 | $184,150 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $54.85 | $63.17 | $81.06 | $106.29 | $121.73 | $85.83 | 910 | 0.23 | 1.94 |
| Annual | $114,080 | $131,400 | $168,600 | $221,090 | $253,200 | $178,520 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $45.71 | $57.64 | $83.93 | $103.13 | $136.44 | $86.50 | 900 | 0.56 | 4.83 |
| Annual | $95,090 | $119,890 | $174,580 | $214,500 | $283,790 | $179,920 | ||||
| Oklahoma City, OK | Hourly | $50.33 | $65.24 | $84.71 | $105.84 | $131.72 | $85.17 | 700 | 1.04 | 8.91 |
| Annual | $104,680 | $135,710 | $176,200 | $220,150 | $273,980 | $177,150 | ||||
Top industries employing petroleum engineers
Oil and Gas Extraction employ 32.7% of petroleum engineers nationally (5,900 jobs) at a median $180,080 a year ($86.58 an hour), followed by Support Activities for Mining (18.2%) and Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (10.2%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and Gas Extraction NAICS 211100 | 5,900 | 32.7% | $180,080 | $86.58 |
| Support Activities for Mining NAICS 213100 | 3,290 | 18.2% | $126,600 | $60.87 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services NAICS 541300 | 1,840 | 10.2% | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises NAICS 551100 | 1,670 | 9.2% | $171,710 | $82.56 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services NAICS 541600 | 1,310 | 7.3% | $89,990 | $43.26 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (18,060). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $130,850 for petroleum engineers in May 2021 and $144,910 in May 2025, with employment of 22,100 and 18,060.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $130,850 | $62.91 | 22,100 |
| May 2022 | $131,800 | $63.37 | 20,540 |
| May 2023 | $135,690 | $65.23 | 20,390 |
| May 2024 | $141,280 | $67.92 | 18,970 |
| May 2025 | $144,910 | $69.67 | 18,060 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
22 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska profile | $99.18 | $206,290 | $129,150 | $277,360 | 280 | 0.87 | 7.53 |
| 2 | Utah profile | $83.10 | $172,840 | $101,490 | $212,590 | 280 | 0.16 | 1.40 |
| 3 | Colorado profile | $82.78 | $172,190 | $92,590 | $264,960 | 1,390 | 0.48 | 4.16 |
| 4 | Texas profile | $79.26 | $164,860 | $89,990 | $283,500 | 9,140 | 0.65 | 5.60 |
| 5 | Oklahoma profile | $73.57 | $153,020 | $86,990 | $221,320 | 1,450 | 0.85 | 7.29 |
| 6 | California profile | $69.03 | $143,590 | $61,780 | $207,370 | 1,060 | 0.06 | 0.50 |
| 7 | Louisiana profile | $67.13 | $139,640 | $43,440 | $221,800 | 710 | 0.37 | 3.17 |
| 8 | Washington profile | $64.81 | $134,800 | $107,690 | $184,360 | 190 | 0.05 | 0.45 |
| 9 | North Dakota profile | $63.52 | $132,120 | $82,530 | $170,040 | 130 | 0.30 | 2.58 |
| 10 | Kansas profile | $55.60 | $115,640 | $65,510 | $195,300 | 110 | 0.08 | 0.67 |
| 11 | Montana profile | $50.03 | $104,060 | $77,450 | $155,590 | ** | ** | ** |
| 12 | Pennsylvania profile | $48.98 | $101,880 | $77,220 | $175,130 | 600 | 0.10 | 0.85 |
| 13 | Nebraska profile | $48.46 | $100,800 | $80,880 | $165,490 | 150 | 0.14 | 1.22 |
| 14 | New Mexico profile | $48.03 | $99,900 | $76,140 | $151,750 | 260 | 0.30 | 2.59 |
| 15 | Ohio profile | $47.72 | $99,260 | $79,010 | $139,440 | 200 | 0.04 | 0.30 |
| 16 | West Virginia profile | $44.89 | $93,360 | $79,860 | $220,130 | 380 | 0.54 | 4.68 |
| – | Alabama profile | * | * | * | * | 50 | 0.02 | 0.20 |
| – | Florida profile | * | * | * | * | 40 | 0.00 | 0.04 |
| – | Michigan profile | * | * | * | * | 580 | 0.13 | 1.14 |
| – | Minnesota profile | * | * | * | * | 40 | 0.01 | 0.12 |
| – | Tennessee profile | * | * | * | * | 70 | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| – | Wyoming profile | * | * | * | * | 280 | 1.02 | 8.74 |
Part of Architecture and Engineering Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 17-2171 Petroleum Engineers.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 17-2171, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 17-2171.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.