How much does a petroleum engineer make?
a year · about $70 an hour
A typical petroleum engineer in the United States makes $144,910 a year, about $70 an hour, about 2.8× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They study well data in an office and plan how to drill and bring up more oil or gas. They work with geologists and field crews, and may visit a rig to check progress or solve a problem.
Did you know? Some U.S. oil wells bend sideways underground for several miles, letting them reach more of the oil-bearing rock.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $81,440 and $253,200How do you become one?
Earn a U.S. bachelor’s in petroleum, mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering; internships help. A state PE license isn’t needed to start, but it usually takes relevant work experience and passing the FE and PE exams.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and a PE license can help raise pay, especially when they bring more responsibility. Pay also varies by employer industry and location.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($206,290), lowest in West Virginia ($93,360).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $81,440 | $144,910 | $253,200 | about 18,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 | about 280 |
| Utah | $172,840 | about 280 |
| Colorado | $172,190 | about 1,000 |
| Texas | $164,860 | about 9,000 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/petroleum-engineers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2171.00
- www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=34732
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY