Texas Median
$164,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$79.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $144,910
State Rank
#4 of 16
9,140 employed here
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Texas?
Petroleum Engineers in Texas take home a median of $164,860 annually — roughly $79.26 an hour — which runs 14% above the national median of $144,910.
Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $89,990 while the top 10% make $283,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $123,450 and $220,330 a year.
Petroleum Engineer salary range in Texas
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,990 | $43.26 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $123,450 | $59.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $164,860 | $79.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $220,330 | $105.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $283,500 | $136.30 |
|
How Texas compares
Texas ranks 4th 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 $172,190Oklahoma $153,020California $143,590Louisiana $139,640Washington $134,800North Dakota $132,120Kansas $115,640Montana $104,060Pennsylvania $101,880Nebraska $100,800New Mexico $99,900Ohio $99,260West Virginia $93,360
Working as a Petroleum Engineer in Texas
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 Texas pay ($164,860) 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 Texas?
The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Texas is $164,860 per year, or about $79.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $89,990 at the entry level to $283,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Petroleum Engineers about 14% more than the national median of $144,910. Texas ranks 4th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Petroleum Engineers?
Yes on pay — Texas pays above the national median for this occupation, at $164,860 a year. About 9,140 Petroleum Engineers are employed in Texas. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Petroleum Engineer salary report
Related salaries
$99,280
median pay · 107,000 employed
$106,220
median pay · 6,000 employed
$122,930
median pay · 154,000 employed
$107,110
median pay · 38,000 employed
$109,370
median pay · 23,000 employed
$120,630
median pay · 199,000 employed
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.