Petroleum Engineer
Design methods for extracting oil and gas from underground deposits and develop new drilling technologies.
$132K
Median Salary
2%
Job Growth
$82K
Entry Salary
$195K
Senior Salary
Education:Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering or Chemical EngineeringOutlook:As fast as averageWork:Office/FieldCategory:Engineering
Salary Estimator
Entry (0 yr)Mid (10 yr)Senior (20 yr)
$82,000
Entry Level
$110,250
Your Estimate
$195,000
Senior Level
Salary Range
$82K$132K median$195K
Key Skills
Reservoir EngineeringDrilling OperationsProduction OptimizationSimulation SoftwareGeophysics
Recommended Certifications
- 1PE License
- 2SPE Certification
Top Employers
ExxonMobilChevronShellConocoPhillips
Education Path
To pursue a career as a Petroleum Engineer, you will typically need: Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
While job growth is moderate, skilled professionals continue to find opportunities. Specialization and certifications can improve prospects.
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024–2025 edition). Job growth projections are 10-year estimates (2023–2033). Last updated March 2026.
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