What does a Petroleum Engineer earn?

On average, petroleum engineers earn around $145,720 per year in the U.S. Petroleum engineers work with companies in the oil industry to develop strategies and solutions for extraction, production, processing, and transportation of crude oil and natural gas. They are also responsible for providing technical solutions, from initial surveys to on-site implementation of new solutions and designs, to ensure effective operations. Petroleum engineers can also choose to specialise in areas such as oil reservoir dynamics, formation evaluation and drilling engineering.

How to earn more as a Petroleum Engineer

To become a Petroleum Engineer, you will need a degree in engineering, technology, or an energy-related field. Alternatively, you can go through a degree apprenticeship. To earn more as a Petroleum Engineer, you can move into a specialised area, such as reservoir engineering, or become a manager within an energy business. You could also become self-employed or set up your own consulting firm.