How to Become a Petroleum Engineer
Design the methods that bring oil and gas out of the ground safely and efficiently, one of engineering's highest-paying fields. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $144,910 per year and slower than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$144,910/yr
Job growth
1%
Openings / yr
1,200
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Reservoir Analysis
- Drilling Engineering
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Project Management
Helpful certifications
- FE/PE (Professional Engineer)
- SPE membership
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
null/100
Work-life balance
null/100
Stress level
null/100
Satisfaction
null/100
Related careers
- Computer Hardware Engineer$161,740 median
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960 median
- Nuclear Engineer$133,970 median
- Chemical Engineer$125,040 median
- Electrical Engineer$120,630 median
- Materials Engineer$112,860 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make?
The median pay for a Petroleum Engineer is $144,910 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Petroleum Engineer?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Is Petroleum Engineer a growing field?
The BLS projects slower than average demand for this role, about 1% over the decade, with roughly 1,200 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Petroleum Engineer use most?
Common skills for this role are Reservoir Analysis, Drilling Engineering, Mathematics, Critical Thinking, and Project Management.
Planning to become a Petroleum Engineer?
Save this career to your PlanexAI path and track the majors, courses, and milestones that lead to it.
Not sure this is right for you?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to match your interests to majors and careers.
Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.