Petroleum Engineers Career, Salary and Skills
Petroleum Engineers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $144,910 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 18,060. Wage data is published for 52 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
17-2171.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$144,910
Hourly median
$69.67
Employment
18,060
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.75 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Writing | 3.88 | 4.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.88 | 4.12 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.75 | 3.88 |
Typical tasks
- Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
- Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
Technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C#
- C++
- Computer Modelling Group CMG STARS
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- DFA Capital Management GEMS
- Eclipse IDE
- eProduction Solutions PanSystem
- Finite element analysis FEA software
- GeoGraphix ARIES Portfolio
- Google Analytics
- IBM Notes
- IHS Petra
- IHS QUE$TOR
Petroleum Engineers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in TXMedian $164,860 · Employment 9,140
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in Houston, TXMedian $169,870 · Employment 4,770
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in OKMedian $153,020 · Employment 1,450
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in COMedian $172,190 · Employment 1,390
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in CAMedian $143,590 · Employment 1,060
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in Midland, TXMedian $172,070 · Employment 940
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $168,600 · Employment 910
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in Denver, COMedian $174,580 · Employment 900
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in LAMedian $139,640 · Employment 710
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in Oklahoma City, OKMedian $176,200 · Employment 700
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in PAMedian $101,880 · Employment 600
- Petroleum Engineers Salary in WVMedian $93,360 · Employment 380
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- Geothermal TechniciansNational median $49,230
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- Service Unit Operators, Oil and GasNational median $58,160
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- Gas Plant OperatorsNational median $87,820
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.