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Petroleum Engineers salary

The BLS estimates 18,060 Petroleum Engineers jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $144,910 (May 2025, SOC 17-2171). Across 14 metros with published figures, medians range from $99,900 in Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area to $212,240 in Anchorage, AK.

PETROLEUM ENGINEERS · UNITED STATES · BLS
BLS · UNITED STATES · ALL EMPLOYERS, ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS
P10$81,440P25$106,270MEDIAN$144,910P75$197,920P90$253,200
30 SECONDS · NO SIGNUP · ON-DEVICE

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HIGHEST-PAYING METROS

  1. Anchorage, AK$212,240 · 200 jobs
  2. Oklahoma City, OK$176,200 · 700 jobs
  3. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$174,580 · 900 jobs
  4. Midland, TX$172,070 · 940 jobs
  5. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$169,870 · 4,770 jobs
  6. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$168,600 · 910 jobs
  7. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$167,000 · 330 jobs
  8. New Orleans-Metairie, LA$148,390 · 320 jobs
  9. Odessa, TX$135,620 · 220 jobs
  10. Greeley, CO$132,240 · 300 jobs

LARGEST METROS

  1. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$169,870 · 4,770 jobs
  2. Midland, TX$172,070 · 940 jobs
  3. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$168,600 · 910 jobs
  4. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO$174,580 · 900 jobs
  5. Oklahoma City, OK$176,200 · 700 jobs
  6. Tulsa, OK$130,750 · 370 jobs
  7. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$167,000 · 330 jobs
  8. New Orleans-Metairie, LA$148,390 · 320 jobs
  9. Greeley, CO$132,240 · 300 jobs
  10. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX$120,460 · 240 jobs

EMPLOYERS WITH THE MOST VISA-SPONSORED FILINGS FOR THIS JOB

ALL METROS (A–Z)

Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Questions

What is the median Petroleum Engineers salary in the U.S.?

$144,910 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $106,270–$197,920.

Where do Petroleum Engineers earn the most?

Highest metro medians: Anchorage, AK ($212,240), Oklahoma City, OK ($176,200), Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO ($174,580). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.