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Petroleum Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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petroleum engineering information

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$136K

How much do petroleum engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for petroleum engineering in the United States is $80,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a petroleum engineer?

Petroleum engineers are professionals who design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth’s surface. They work closely with geologists to understand where resources are located and determine the best drilling and production techniques. Their responsibilities also include optimizing production, ensuring safety, and minimizing the environmental impact of extraction operations. Petroleum engineers can specialize in areas such as drilling, reservoir, production, or completions engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a petroleum engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Petroleum Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, geology, and mathematics, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in petroleum or chemical engineering. Familiarity with industry-specific software like Petrel, Eclipse, and proficiency in data analysis tools, as well as relevant certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, are commonly required. Exceptional problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and make informed decisions in complex environments. These skills ensure efficient resource extraction, operational safety, and cost-effective project management in the highly technical and regulated energy sector.

What are some common challenges petroleum engineers face when working on drilling projects, and how can these be managed?

Petroleum engineers often encounter challenges such as unexpected reservoir behavior, equipment failures, and environmental concerns during drilling projects. Managing these issues typically involves collaborating closely with geologists, drilling crews, and environmental specialists to adapt plans and resolve problems efficiently. Staying updated on the latest drilling technologies and safety regulations also helps in proactively addressing potential setbacks. Good communication and problem-solving skills are essential to ensure project timelines and safety standards are met.

What is the difference between Petroleum Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectPetroleum EngineeringMechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Petroleum Engineering or related field; often professional engineering licenseBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; may require licensure for certain roles
Work EnvironmentOil rigs, drilling sites, exploration facilities, officesManufacturing plants, design labs, maintenance sites, offices
Industry UsageOil and gas extraction, drilling companies, energy sectorManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy systems

Petroleum Engineering focuses on the exploration, extraction, and production of oil and gas resources, often working in drilling and reservoir management. Mechanical Engineering has a broader scope, involving the design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems across various industries. While both require strong engineering fundamentals, Petroleum Engineers specialize in the energy sector, whereas Mechanical Engineers work in diverse fields.

Do petroleum engineers get paid well?

Petroleum engineers typically earn high salaries due to the technical skills and specialized knowledge required in the oil and gas industry. Their compensation often includes bonuses and benefits, reflecting the industry's profitability and demand for expertise in reservoir modeling, drilling, and production optimization.

Is there a high demand for petroleum engineers?

Petroleum engineering is a specialized field with steady demand driven by global energy needs and oil exploration activities. However, employment can fluctuate with oil prices and technological advancements, and the industry increasingly values skills in reservoir modeling and drilling technologies.

What jobs can a petroleum engineer do?

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from underground reservoirs. They work in exploration, drilling, production, and reservoir management, often using specialized software and requiring knowledge of geology and engineering principles. They may work in office settings, on drilling sites, or in research and development roles.
More about petroleum engineering jobs

What cities are hiring for Petroleum Engineering jobs?

Cities with the most Petroleum Engineering job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Petroleum Engineering jobs?

The most popular types of Petroleum Engineering jobs are:

What states have the most Petroleum Engineering jobs?

States with the most job openings for Petroleum Engineering jobs include:

Infographic showing various Petroleum Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,025 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

$50K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

You will serve as a Engineering Technician (Petroleum) with the Bureau of Land Management.

This announcement is being advertised concurrently under number BLM-WY-ST-26-13002621-RS, for status candidates and special hiring authority eligible. You must apply to each announcement separately if you wish to be considered under both recruitment methods.
Qualifications:

Requirements Continued...
Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications:

All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-08/28/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.

To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.

This position requires a special qualification that has been determined to be essential to perform the duties and will be used as a screen out element. If you do not provide evidence that you possess the following selective factor(s), you will be rated not qualified.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Specialized Experience Requirement:

To qualify for this position at the GS-07 grade level, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience performing at least one of the following examples: 1. Utilize monitoring systems for drilling fluids; 2. Operate and maintain drilling and production equipment; 3. Safety compliance (i.e. follow procedures, check surface casing, and check cementing operations); 4. Work closely with engineers and other technical teams to optimize production methods. You must include hours per week worked.
-OR-
Education:Successful completion of at least one year of GRADUATE education directly related to the work of this position (i.e., major study in petroleum engineering or a related field). You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of education and experience. Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must total to 100 percent to qualify. Your resume must reflect hours worked per week and you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-08 grade level, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience performing at least two of the following examples: 1. Utilize monitoring systems for drilling fluids; 2. Operate and maintain drilling and production equipment; 3. Safety compliance (i.e. follow procedures, check surface casing, and check cementing operations); 4. Work closely with engineers and other technical teams to optimize production methods. 5. Review regulations related to the petroleum industry. Your resume must include hours worked per week.
-OR-
Education: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree; education must be directly related to the work of a petroleum engineering technician (i.e., major study in petroleum engineering or a related field). You must submit a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must total to 100 percent to qualify. Your resume must reflect hours worked per week and you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-8 grade level in the Federal service (obtained either in private or public sectors). Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience performing at least three of the following examples: 1. Utilize monitoring systems for drilling fluids; 2. Operate and maintain drilling and production equipment; 3. Safety compliance (i.e. follow procedures, check surface casing, and check cementing operations); 4. Work closely with engineers and other technical teams to optimize production methods providing technical guidance and assisting with on-site onshore oil and gas inspections; 5. Drafting correspondence such as reports, inspections, violations, etc. for gas and oil operations. Your resume must include hours worked per week.
-OR-
Education: Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree; education must be directly related to the work of a petroleum engineering technician (i.e., major study in petroleum engineering or a related field). You must submit a copy of your transcripts.
-OR-
Combination of Education and Specialized Experience: Total qualifying education and experience as listed above when combined must total to 100 percent to qualify. Your resume must reflect hours worked per week and you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education:

You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Accreditation: Only education from an accredited college or university recognized by the Department of Education is acceptable to meet education requirements or to substitute for experience, if applicable. For additional info, refer to the Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education.

Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualification

Employment Type: OTHER