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 (105.4) | $201,328 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $176,200 | Below avg (90.4) | $194,894 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $167,600 | Below avg (90.0) | $186,127 |
| Lubbock, TX | $164,480 | Below avg (91.3) | $180,120 |
| Midland, TX | $172,070 | Below avg (95.8) | $179,646 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $180,230 | Average (100.9) | $178,679 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $169,870 | Average (98.6) | $172,231 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $168,860 | Average (98.1) | $172,190 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $161,940 | Below avg (95.5) | $169,613 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $155,870 | Below avg (92.7) | $168,197 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $174,580 | Above avg (105.8) | $165,038 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $168,600 | Above avg (103.1) | $163,546 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $148,390 | Below avg (92.6) | $160,254 |
| Ogden, UT | $158,300 | Average (100.3) | $157,749 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $166,570 | Above avg (106.7) | $156,154 |