Petroleum Engineers
SOC code 17-2171 · O*NET-SOC 17-2171.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Petroleum Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$144,910
a year
Hourly
$69.67
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$157,150
$75.55 per hour
Middle 50%
$106,270 – $197,920
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$81,440 – $253,200
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
18,060
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $81,440
- $39.16/hr
- 25th percentile
- $106,270
- $51.09/hr
- Median percentile
- $144,910
- $69.67/hr
- 75th percentile
- $197,920
- $95.16/hr
- 90th percentile
- $253,200
- $121.73/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+1%
Growing about as fast as average
19,600
jobs in 2024
19,800
projected for 2034
About 200 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a petroleum engineer do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
- 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.
- Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
How to become a petroleum engineer
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 72% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree72%
- Post-Master's Certificate15%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)8%
- Master's Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a petroleum engineer earn?
The national median is $144,910 a year. The full range runs from $81,440 at the 10th percentile to $253,200 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a petroleum engineer without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is petroleum engineer in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 1% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.4/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Physics3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Chemistry3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Economics and Accounting3.2/5
- Administrative3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation.