Salary is one factor that leads to overall satisfaction in a career.

After graduation, petroleum engineering graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $257,693, while the bottom 20% make closer to $73,834. The median grad salary is $137,937.

Petroleum Engineering graduate salaries over time

The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering is $84,638, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $132,036.

This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:

Wage ($USD)

Wage Range Median Wage

Years of work experience

Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in petroleum engineering is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

Read about Overview