Montana Median
$104,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$50.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $144,910
State Rank
#11 of 16
state estimate
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Montana?
A Petroleum Engineer working in Montana earns a median salary of $104,060 per year, or about $50.03 per hour. That is 28% below the national median of $144,910 for this occupation.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $77,450 while the top 10% make $155,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,380 and $137,540 a year.
Petroleum Engineer salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,450 | $37.24 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,380 | $38.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $104,060 | $50.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $137,540 | $66.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,590 | $74.80 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 11th out of 16 states and territories for Petroleum Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Petroleum Engineer salary in other states
Alaska $206,290Utah $172,840Colorado $172,190Texas $164,860Oklahoma $153,020California $143,590Louisiana $139,640Washington $134,800North Dakota $132,120Kansas $115,640Pennsylvania $101,880Nebraska $100,800New Mexico $99,900Ohio $99,260West Virginia $93,360
Working as a Petroleum Engineer in Montana
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Petroleum Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Montana pay ($104,060) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Montana?
The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Montana is $104,060 per year, or about $50.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,450 at the entry level to $155,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Petroleum Engineers about 28% less than the national median of $144,910. Montana ranks 11th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Petroleum Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $104,060 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Petroleum Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.