North Dakota Median
$132,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $144,910
State Rank
#9 of 16
130 employed here
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in North Dakota?
A Petroleum Engineer working in North Dakota earns a median salary of $132,120 per year, or about $63.52 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $144,910 for this occupation.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $82,530 while the top 10% make $170,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $98,510 and $158,280 a year.
Petroleum Engineer salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,530 | $39.68 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $98,510 | $47.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $132,120 | $63.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $158,280 | $76.10 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,040 | $81.75 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 9th 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 $134,800Kansas $115,640Montana $104,060Pennsylvania $101,880Nebraska $100,800New Mexico $99,900Ohio $99,260West Virginia $93,360
Working as a Petroleum Engineer in North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($132,120) 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 North Dakota?
The median Petroleum Engineer salary in North Dakota is $132,120 per year, or about $63.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $82,530 at the entry level to $170,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Petroleum Engineers about 9% less than the national median of $144,910. North Dakota ranks 9th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Petroleum Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $132,120 a year. About 130 Petroleum Engineers are employed in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.