Petroleum Engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Petroleum Engineers in the United States earn a median salary of $144,910 per year — about $70 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 20K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +1%.
AI & Automation Risk
Petroleum engineering involves significant digital knowledge work, such as reservoir modeling, data analysis, and drilling simulation, which are highly susceptible to AI-driven optimization and automation. However, the role remains anchored by the necessity of physical site visits to remote or offshore locations to oversee equipment installation and troubleshoot real-world mechanical issues that AI cannot physically address.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AKBEST VALUE | $212,240 | Above avg (106.8) | $198,781 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $176,200 | Below avg (91.4) | $192,684 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $180,230 | Average (97.1) | $185,527 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $167,600 | Below avg (90.8) | $184,602 |
| Lubbock, TX | $164,480 | Below avg (91.0) | $180,767 |
| Midland, TX | $172,070 | Below avg (95.4) | $180,399 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $161,940 | Below avg (92.8) | $174,597 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $168,860 | Average (98.3) | $171,822 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $169,870 | Average (99.7) | $170,323 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $155,870 | Below avg (91.7) | $169,952 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $174,580 | Above avg (105.8) | $165,059 |
| Ogden, UT | $158,300 | Below avg (96.1) | $164,675 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $168,600 | Average (102.5) | $164,504 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $148,390 | Below avg (91.2) | $162,719 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $166,570 | Above avg (109.1) | $152,689 |