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Petroleum Engineers Salary in CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Petroleum Engineers in CA have a median annual salary of $143,590, with 1,060 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $61,780 at the 10th percentile to $207,370 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$143,590

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$69.03

Employment

1,060

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$61,780
10th
$126,500
25th
$143,590
Median
$171,980
75th
$207,370
90th

Local compared with national

CA

$143,590

Median annual · 2025

United States

$144,910

Median annual · 2025

The CA median is 0.9% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,320).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  4. 4.WritingImportance 3.9
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.9
  9. 9.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.9
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 3.8
  11. 11.MonitoringImportance 3.8
  12. 12.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.6

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • 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
  • Landmark Graphics TOW/cs

Common tasks

  • Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
  • 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.
  • Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
  • Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Petroleum Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in CA