Petroleum Engineers
SOC 17-2171 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Petroleum Engineers is $135,690, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $148,590, and an estimated 20,390 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose -1.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -16.1% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 1.3% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Petroleum Engineers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $135,690 | $135,690 | 20,390 |
| 2022 | $131,800 | $137,225 | 20,540 |
| 2021 | $130,850 | $147,139 | 22,100 |
| 2020 | $137,330 | $161,681 | 27,850 |
Nominal change
-1.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-16.1%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+1.3%
About average
Employment 2024
19,600
Projected 2034
19,800
Annual Openings
1,200
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Petroleum Engineers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $135,690. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $212,230 | +56.4% | 100 |
| Colorado | $170,010 | +25.3% | 970 |
| Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $167,160 | +23.2% | 100 |
| Minnesota | $160,420 | +18.2% | 90 |
| Florida | $153,530 | +13.1% | — |
| Texas | $147,840 | +9% | 11,870 |
| Arizona | $143,520 | +5.8% | 30 |
| Louisiana | $136,950 | +0.9% | 730 |
| Illinois | $136,190 | +0.4% | 60 |
| Alaska | $134,750 | -0.7% | 320 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$77,340
25th Pct
$104,020
Median
$135,690
75th Pct
$176,990
90th Pct
$225,920
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC | NM | 2 | $152,000 |
| Exxon Mobil Corporation | TX | 2 | $186,400 |
| Akal Energy LLC | WY | 1 | $80,000 |
| Onestep Power Solutions, Inc. | TX | 1 | $166,400 |
| Jacam Catalyst LLC | TX | 1 | $160,000 |
| Schlumberger Technology Corporation | TX | 1 | $114,500 |
| EOG Resources, Inc. | TX | 1 | $125,000 |
| Chevron Corporation | TX | 1 | $130,000 |
| University of Wyoming | WY | 1 | $80,700 |
| SimTech LLC | TX | 1 | $104,000 |
| Aramco Services Company | MA | 1 | $128,822 |
| Blade Energy Partners, Ltd. | TX | 1 | $132,000 |
| Aethon Energy Operating LLC | TX | 1 | $250,000 |
| Spinnaker Oilwell Services LLC | NM | 1 | $98,173 |
| Ryder Scott Company, LP | TX | 1 | $118,100 |
| Repsol Services Company | TX | 1 | $195,000 |
| Occidental Petroleum Corporation | TX | 1 | $213,500 |
| University of Wyoming | TX | 1 | $102,609 |
| Durango Resources Corp. | TX | 1 | $135,200 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
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