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Architecture & Engineering · Usually needs a bachelor's degree

Petroleum Engineers

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.

Also called: Certification Engineer, Completion Engineer, Completions Engineer, Design Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Engineer

Is this career right for me?

Median pay

$144,910

per year, U.S.

Pay range (10th–90th)

$81,440 – $253,200

People employed

18,060

Holland code

RIC

Realistic · Investigative · Conventional

Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers

Is this career right for you?

These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.

  1. 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
  2. 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?

The hard parts

  • Tight deadlines are common

Petroleum Engineers pay by state

Highest-paying states

Alaska$206,290
Utah$172,840
Colorado$172,190
Texas$164,860
Oklahoma$153,020

Lowest-paying states

West Virginia$93,360
Ohio$99,260
New Mexico$99,900

Annual median pay by state (16 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.

Petroleum Engineers salary in every state →

What petroleum engineers do

  1. 01Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
  2. 02Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
  3. 03Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
  4. 04Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
  5. 05Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
  6. 06Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.

Skills that matter most

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Active Learning

Knowledge

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Chemistry

Work styles that stand out

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Cautiousness
  • Intellectual Curiosity

Education and first steps

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)8%
Bachelor's Degree72%
Master's Degree5%
Post-Master's Certificate15%

Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.

How people get started

  • Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
  • Related work experience: over 6 years, up to and including 8 years.
  • On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.

Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.

Interest fit (Holland code)

Realistic5.37
Investigative5.33
Artistic1.92
Social1.78
Enterprising3.04
Conventional4.32

O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.

Career changes

Change from petroleum engineers

See all jobs for former petroleum engineers →

Change into petroleum engineers

Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).

Jobs similar to petroleum engineers →

Majors that lead here

  • Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Petroleum Engineering

From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.

Free help near you

You can get free career counseling, job search help and, if you qualify, help paying for training through American Job Centers, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Find an American Job CenterFind training programs

Links go to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Keep exploring

Sources. O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0): description, tasks, skills, knowledge, work styles, education, interests and work context. Pay and employment: BLS OEWS May 2025 (national and state). Majors: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Data Sources & Licenses