Petroleum Engineers Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $159,990 +13.2% vs national
Median hourly $76.92
10th percentile $86,490
90th percentile —
Employed locally 5,080
National median $141,280

Compare Petroleum Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Petroleum Engineers
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $86,490
    25th
    $124,920
    50th (median)
    $159,990
    75th
    $207,600

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Petroleum Engineers salary vs area income 199% Median Petroleum Engineers salary is 99% 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
    Amarillo, TX $199,990
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $184,250
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $167,090
    Midland, TX $165,880
    Wichita Falls, TX $160,890
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $154,490

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,690
    Industrial Engineers $116,170
    Mechanical Engineers $126,870
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $60,880
    Electrical Engineers $110,210
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $76,740

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Houston?

    The median hourly wage for Petroleum Engineers in Houston, TX is $76.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $138.72 or more per hour.

    Is Houston above or below average for Petroleum Engineers salaries?

    The median Petroleum Engineers salary in Houston, TX is 13.2% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Petroleum Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $86,490 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $124,920.