Petroleum Engineering graduates earn $104,823 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Engineering Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Petroleum Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Graduates typically earn around $104,823 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 31 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 941 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$68,913
Median Earnings · 4yr
$104,823
Colleges Offering
31
Graduates / Year
941
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,650
How Much Do Petroleum Engineering Graduates Earn?
Petroleum Engineering graduates earn $104,823 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,747 and $146,680. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $68,913 climbs to $104,823 by year four.
$68,913
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$104,823
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$102,594
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Petroleum Engineering graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$80,74725th pct.
$104,823Median
$146,68075th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $104,823 against an estimated $70,600 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 25 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 941 students who complete Petroleum Engineering programs each year, the majority (68%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
68%20%
Bachelor's68%
Master's20%
Doctorate11%
What Can You Do With a Petroleum Engineering Degree?
Petroleum Engineering connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Architectural & Engineering Manager leads at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisSystems Evaluation
Day-to-day responsibilities
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Petroleum Engineering
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Petroleum Engineering students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Petroleum Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Petroleum Engineering a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $104,823 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $68,913 at graduation to $104,823 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.1% over the next decade, with Engineering Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 19,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
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 31 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Petroleum Engineering graduates earn a national median of $104,823 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,747 and $146,680. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Petroleum Engineering degree?
One year after graduation, Petroleum Engineering degree holders earn a median of $68,913. That climbs to $104,823 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Petroleum Engineering degree?
Petroleum Engineering degree holders pursue careers including Architectural & Engineering Manager, which pays a median of $171,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Petroleum Engineering program take?
A Petroleum Engineering bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Petroleum Engineering?
31 colleges and universities in the United States offer Petroleum Engineering programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Petroleum Engineering degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $104,823 and an average net price of roughly $17,650/yr, a Petroleum Engineering degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Petroleum Engineering and Engineering?
Petroleum Engineering is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering field. The Engineering major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Petroleum Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Petroleum Engineering graduates?
Employers hiring Petroleum Engineering graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Petroleum Engineering graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree 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. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Petroleum Engineering graduates?
The job outlook for Petroleum Engineering graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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