Petroleum Engineer Salaries
a Petroleum Engineer Salaries
Base pay
$65K - $1L/yr
$84K/yrAverage base pay
Additional salary
$23K/yrAverage
$17K - $32K/yrRange
About our data
Confident
The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilises salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
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Popular companies for Petroleum Engineers
392 companies
392 Popular companies with Petroleum Engineer
Viewing 1 - 5 of 392 results
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Top paying industries
The top 5 paying industries for a Petroleum Engineer in United States are Energy, mining, utilities with a median total pay of $1,51,798, Government and public administration with a median total pay of $1,07,957, Management and consulting with a median total pay of $1,04,608, Retail and wholesale with a median total pay of $1,02,722, and Media and communication with a median total pay of $93,342.
Top paying companies in Energy, mining, utilities for Petroleum Engineer are Ovintiv, ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp Energy.
Top paying companies in Government and public administration for Petroleum Engineer are US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and US Bureau of Land Management.
The top paying company in Management and consulting for Petroleum Engineer is Knowledge Reservoir.
The top paying company in Retail and wholesale for Petroleum Engineer is ampm.
The top paying company in Media and communication for Petroleum Engineer is Ryder Scott Company.
Energy, mining, utilities
$1,51,798
Energy, mining, utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, mining, utilities for Petroleum Engineer are Ovintiv, ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp Energy.
Government and public administration
$1,07,957
Energy, mining, utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, mining, utilities for Petroleum Engineer are Ovintiv, ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp Energy.
Management and consulting
$1,04,608
Energy, mining, utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, mining, utilities for Petroleum Engineer are Ovintiv, ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp Energy.
Retail and wholesale
$1,02,722
Energy, mining, utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, mining, utilities for Petroleum Engineer are Ovintiv, ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp Energy.
Media and communication
$93,342
Energy, mining, utilities
Top paying companies in Energy, mining, utilities for Petroleum Engineer are Ovintiv, ConocoPhillips and Hilcorp Energy.
Recent salaries shared by Petroleum Engineer
50 salaries
Job title | Years of Experience
Total Pay
Location
Date submitted
Job title | Years of Experience
Location
Date submitted
Total Pay
Base • Additional pay
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$39K/yr
$39K • $0
Boston, MA
submitted on 29 May 2026
$39K/yr
$39K • $0
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$1L - $1L/yr
Houston, TX
submitted on 29 May 2026
$1L - $1L/yr
Petroleum Engineer
1-3 Years
$70K - $82K/yr
Houston, TX
submitted on 7 May 2026
$70K - $82K/yr
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$2L - $2L/yr
Houston, TX
submitted on 9 Apr 2026
$2L - $2L/yr
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$2L/yr
$2L • $0
United States Coast Guard - Air Station Sacramento
submitted on 4 Apr 2026
$2L/yr
$2L • $0
Anonymously share your salary to help the community.
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$1L/yr
$1L • $0
Houston, TX
submitted on 21 Jan 2026
$1L/yr
$1L • $0
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$3L/yr
$2L • $2L
Midland, TX
submitted on 6 Dec 2025
$3L/yr
$2L • $2L
Petroleum Engineer
1-3 Years
$2L/yr
$1L • $49K
Houston, TX
submitted on 21 Nov 2025
$2L/yr
$1L • $49K
Petroleum Engineer
4-6 Years
$1L - $1L/yr
Carlsbad, NM
submitted on 14 Nov 2025
$1L - $1L/yr
Petroleum Engineer
7-9 Years
$98K/yr
$98K • $0
Denver, CO
submitted on 9 Nov 2025
$98K/yr
$98K • $0
Viewing 1 - 10 of 50
Frequently asked questions about Petroleum Engineer salaries
How much does a Petroleum Engineer in United States make?
The average salary for a Petroleum Engineer is $1,07,504 per year or $52 per hour in United States, which is 90% lower than the national average. Top earners have reported making up to $1,80,389 (90th percentile). However, the typical pay range in United States is between $82,451 (25th percentile) and $1,41,730 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 1054 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Petroleum Engineer employees in United States as of June 2026.
What is the highest salary for a Petroleum Engineer in United States?
The highest salary for a Petroleum Engineer in United States is $1,41,730 per year, $11,811 per month or $68 per hour.
What is the lowest salary for a Petroleum Engineer in United States?
The lowest salary for a Petroleum Engineer in United States is $82,451 per year, $6,871 per month or $40 per hour.
What is the Salary Trend for Petroleum Engineers?
Petroleum engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, petroleum engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful petroleum engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.
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Do Petroleum Engineers Make Good Money in United States?
On average, about 100% of petroleum engineers feel that they are satisfied with their salaries, according to data from anonymous Glassdoor ratings. Having an advanced degree or multiple years of experience may result in an increased ceiling for petroleum engineer salary.
How Much Does a Petroleum Engineer Make Over Time in United States?
Petroleum engineer salaries vary depending on your experience, level of education, and the area where the job is located. The total pay ranges between $64,979.27 and $180,389.34 with an estimated average of $107,504.12 after eight years of experience following the average career path of a petroleum engineer. Engineers who hold licensure qualify for high-paying supervisory roles and management positions.
How to Make More Money as a Petroleum Engineer
If you are looking to increase your earning potential as a petroleum engineer, you may want to consider earning an advanced degree such as a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering and Natural Gas or a Master of Engineering in Petroleum Engineering. Alternatively, you can look at earning an Advanced Oil and Gas Processes Engineering Certification. Taking time to learn in-demand skills, including IT Skills, thermodynamics of reservoirs, drilling and exploration, and basic first aid, can increase your earning potential as a petroleum engineer. Some colleges and universities even offer refresher courses in specific petroleum engineer skills. Becoming a licensed engineer also opens the door to higher-paying senior positions.
How to Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Petroleum Engineer
When negotiating a higher salary as a petroleum engineer, spend time reviewing what is expected of you at work and ensure that you are fulfilling or exceeding those expectations. Make a list of everything you do for the company and show it to your boss during salary negotiations. Review what other petroleum engineers in your area are earning by looking at available petroleum engineer jobs and enter into negotiations with a realistic figure in mind. Knowing what other petroleum engineers are earning can also be useful if you've just started a career and want to make sure that you are earning a fair salary.
Does a Petroleum Engineer make good money in United States?
About 100.00% of Petroleum Engineer professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional ₹23,128 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Petroleum Engineer in United States as a good salary.
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make over time in United States?
Petroleum Engineer professionals in United States have a wide total pay range, between ₹64,979 and ₹1,80,389 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of ₹1,07,504 following the average career path of a Petroleum Engineer.