Petroleum Engineers Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $153,830 +8.9% vs national
Median hourly $73.96
10th percentile $76,200
90th percentile $204,590
Employed locally 70
National median $141,280

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Petroleum Engineers
in
Lake Charles, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,200
    25th
    $128,480
    50th (median)
    $153,830
    75th
    $157,490
    90th
    $204,590

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Petroleum Engineers salary vs area income 230% Median Petroleum Engineers salary is 130% 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
    Alaska $200,750
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $174,440
    Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $174,410
    Oklahoma City, OK $173,400
    Midland, TX $165,880
    Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $163,390

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Engineers, All Other $92,110
    Industrial Engineers $129,260
    Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $65,270
    Chemical Engineers $136,810
    Civil Engineers $106,800
    Mechanical Engineers $106,780

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Lake Charles?

    The median hourly wage for Petroleum Engineers in Lake Charles, LA is $73.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $98.36 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles above or below average for Petroleum Engineers salaries?

    The median Petroleum Engineers salary in Lake Charles, LA is 8.9% 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 Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Petroleum Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $76,200 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $128,480.