Petroleum Engineers Salary in Los Angeles, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Median annual salary $161,320 +14.2% vs national
Median hourly $77.56
10th percentile $85,760
90th percentile $198,640
Employed locally 300
National median $141,280

Compare Petroleum Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Los Angeles, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Petroleum Engineers
in
Los Angeles, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $85,760
    25th
    $126,990
    50th (median)
    $161,320
    75th
    $166,550
    90th
    $198,640

    Los Angeles economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,525 2023 • Census ACS
    Petroleum Engineers salary vs area income 172% Median Petroleum Engineers salary is 72% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $163,310
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $151,240
    California $147,780
    Casper, WY $141,000
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $139,940
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $114,460

    Related occupations in Los Angeles, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $105,290
    Industrial Engineers $108,300
    Mechanical Engineers $114,290
    Engineers, All Other $122,000
    Electrical Engineers $134,900
    Aerospace Engineers $143,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Los Angeles?

    The median hourly wage for Petroleum Engineers in Los Angeles, CA is $77.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $99.15 or more per hour.

    Is Los Angeles above or below average for Petroleum Engineers salaries?

    The median Petroleum Engineers salary in Los Angeles, CA is 14.2% 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 Los Angeles?

    Entry-level Petroleum Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $85,760 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $126,990.