Pennsylvania Median
$101,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $144,910
State Rank
#12 of 16
600 employed here
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Pennsylvania?
Petroleum Engineers in Pennsylvania take home a median of $101,880 annually — roughly $48.98 an hour — which runs 30% below the national median of $144,910.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $77,220 while the top 10% make $175,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $96,040 and $138,890 a year.
Petroleum Engineer salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $96,040 | $46.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,880 | $48.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $138,890 | $66.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,130 | $84.20 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 12th 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 $115,640Montana $104,060Nebraska $100,800New Mexico $99,900Ohio $99,260West Virginia $93,360
Working as a Petroleum Engineer in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($101,880) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Pennsylvania is $101,880 per year, or about $48.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $77,220 at the entry level to $175,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Petroleum Engineers about 30% less than the national median of $144,910. Pennsylvania ranks 12th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Petroleum Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $101,880 a year. About 600 Petroleum Engineers are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.