Petroleum Engineers Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $168,740 +19.4% vs national
Median hourly $81.13
10th percentile $89,990
90th percentile —
Employed locally 790
National median $141,280

Compare Petroleum Engineers salary & buying power

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Petroleum Engineers
in
Denver, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $89,990
    25th
    $114,720
    50th (median)
    $168,740
    75th
    $219,260

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Petroleum Engineers salary vs area income 165% Median Petroleum Engineers salary is 65% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Petroleum Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Anchorage, AK $205,380
    Alaska $200,750
    Amarillo, TX $199,990
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $184,250
    High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area $178,010
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $174,440

    Nearby metros — Petroleum Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $184,250
    Colorado $167,540
    Grand Junction, CO $161,940
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $146,850
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $134,800
    Corpus Christi, TX $133,690

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $104,710
    Mechanical Engineers $110,530
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $129,180
    Electrical Engineers $110,570
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $98,630
    Industrial Engineers $106,800

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Petroleum Engineers in Denver, CO is $81.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $136.44 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Petroleum Engineers salaries?

    The median Petroleum Engineers salary in Denver, CO is 19.4% above the national median of $141,280. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Petroleum Engineers in Denver?

    Entry-level Petroleum Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $89,990 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $114,720.