Washington Median
$134,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $144,910
State Rank
#8 of 16
190 employed here
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Washington?
Petroleum Engineers in Washington take home a median of $134,800 annually — roughly $64.81 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $144,910.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $107,690 while the top 10% make $184,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $129,510 and $176,740 a year.
Petroleum Engineer salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,690 | $51.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $129,510 | $62.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $134,800 | $64.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $176,740 | $84.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,360 | $88.63 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 8th 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 $139,640North 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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($134,800) 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 Washington?
The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Washington is $134,800 per year, or about $64.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $107,690 at the entry level to $184,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Petroleum Engineers about 7% less than the national median of $144,910. Washington ranks 8th out of 16 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Petroleum Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $134,800 a year. About 190 Petroleum Engineers are employed in Washington. 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 Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.