Only 45 colleges in the country offer Mining & Petroleum Tech, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $72,609.
This page covers Mining & Petroleum Tech as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering Tech and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Mining & Petroleum Tech is a focused area of study within Engineering Tech. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $72,609 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 45 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 433 students complete it each year, most walking away with a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$52,842
Median Earnings · 4yr
$72,609
Colleges Offering
45
Graduates / Year
433
Avg Net Price / yr
$8,440
How Much Do Mining & Petroleum Tech Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Mining & Petroleum Tech, a typical graduate earns $72,609, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,837 and $126,643, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $52,842 at one year out to $72,609 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$72,609
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$74,167
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Mining & Petroleum Tech graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$44,83725th pct.
$72,609Median
$126,64375th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $72,609 against an estimated $33,760 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 3 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 433 students who complete Mining & Petroleum Tech programs each year, the majority (41%) earn a associate's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
41%39%
Associate's41%
Doctorate39%
Certificate18%
What Can You Do With a Mining & Petroleum Tech Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Mining & Petroleum Tech graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Geological Technicians pay the most at $53,350/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.
Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
Top Colleges for Mining & Petroleum Tech
Not sure where to study Mining & Petroleum Tech? These 15 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Mining & Petroleum Tech graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Mining & Petroleum Tech is not the only path through Engineering Tech: 18 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Mining & Petroleum Tech program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Mining & Petroleum Tech shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $72,609 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $52,842 at graduation to $72,609 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $126,643, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 45 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
How much do Mining & Petroleum Tech graduates earn?
$72,609 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,837 and $126,643, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Mining & Petroleum Tech degree?
$52,842 in the first year out. That grows to $72,609 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Mining & Petroleum Tech degree?
Geological Technicians are one path, and it pays a median of $53,350 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Mining & Petroleum Tech program take?
Two years full-time at a community college for a Mining & Petroleum Tech associate degree. Many students use it as a stepping stone, transferring to a four-year school afterward to finish a bachelor's.
How many colleges offer Mining & Petroleum Tech?
45 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Mining & Petroleum Tech degree worth it?
$72,609 median earnings four years out against $8,440 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Mining & Petroleum Tech and Engineering Tech?
Mining & Petroleum Tech is the narrower of the two: Engineering Tech covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Mining & Petroleum Tech-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Mining & Petroleum Tech graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Mining & Petroleum Tech graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Mining & Petroleum Tech graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
Related Engineering Tech Programs
Other programs in Engineering Tech. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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