Petroleum Engineers Salary Trend (2011–2024)

Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Median Salary in 2024
$141,280
15.5% since 2011

Median Salary Over Time

Petroleum Engineers — Median Annual Salary
$120K$126K$132K$137K$143K20112013201520172019202120232024$122K$141K

Employment Over Time

Petroleum Engineers — Total Employment
17K22K28K33K38K2011201320152017201920212023202431K19K

Key Insights

📈Salaries grew 15.5% since 2011 ($122,280$141,280)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $141,280
🦠COVID impact: Salary remained relatively stable (-0.3%) through the 2020 pandemic year.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -21%

Year-by-Year Salary Data

YearMedian SalaryYoY Change
2024$141,280+4.1%
2023$135,690+3.0%
2022$131,800+0.7%
2021$130,850-4.7%
2020$137,330-0.3%
2019$137,720+0.4%
2018$137,170+3.7%
2017$132,280+3.2%
2016$128,230-1.4%
2015$129,990-0.0%
2014$130,050-1.7%
2013$132,320+1.6%
2012$130,280+6.5%
2011$122,280
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.