Petroleum Engineers Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $134,800 -4.6% vs national
Median hourly $64.81
10th percentile $129,510
90th percentile $184,360
Employed locally 40
National median $141,280

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Petroleum Engineers
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $129,510
    25th
    $134,800
    50th (median)
    $134,800
    75th
    $184,360
    90th
    $184,360

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Petroleum Engineers salary vs area income 120% Median Petroleum Engineers salary is 20% 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
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $135,630
    Washington $129,660

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers$107,930
    Electrical Engineers$135,480
    Mechanical Engineers$117,930
    Industrial Engineers$126,310
    Aerospace Engineers$174,130
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$98,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Petroleum Engineers in Seattle, WA is $64.81, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $88.64 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Petroleum Engineers salaries?

    The median Petroleum Engineers salary in Seattle, WA is 4.6% below 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Petroleum Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $129,510 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $134,800.