Petroleum Engineers Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 17-2171As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for petroleum engineers in the United States is $144,910 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 18,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $81,440 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $106,270 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $144,910 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $197,920 | Experienced |
| 90th | $253,200 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 | $199,700 | 280 |
| Utah | $172,840 | $169,810 | 280 |
| Colorado | $172,190 | $170,270 | 1,000 |
| Texas | $164,860 | $171,580 | 9,000 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 | $155,900 | 1,000 |
| California | $143,590 | $147,940 | 1,000 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 | $138,270 | 710 |
| Washington | $134,800 | $149,490 | 190 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 | $130,910 | 130 |
| Kansas | $115,640 | $128,430 | 110 |
| Montana | $104,060 | $111,330 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $101,880 | $120,180 | 600 |
| Nebraska | $100,800 | $120,870 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $99,900 | $110,040 | 260 |
| Ohio | $99,260 | $111,350 | 200 |
| West Virginia | $93,360 | $122,770 | 380 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a petroleum engineers in the US?
The US national median wage for petroleum engineers is $144,910 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for petroleum engineers in the US?
Pay ranges from $81,440 at the 10th percentile to $253,200 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay petroleum engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for petroleum engineers include Alaska ($206,290), Utah ($172,840), Colorado ($172,190). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does petroleum engineers salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Alaska ($206,290) pays roughly 121% more than West Virginia ($93,360). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02