Petroleum Engineers
O*NET 17-2171.00 · SOC 17-2171
Petroleum Engineer is a solid career choice. Median pay is $145k a year with +2% projected growth through 2035 (slower than average) and about 1,000 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Design drilling programs to extract oil and gas efficiently.
- →Analyze reservoir data to estimate recoverable petroleum volumes.
- →Select well completion methods to maximize production rates.
- →Monitor wellbore pressure and flow during drilling operations.
- →Evaluate enhanced oil recovery techniques for aging reservoirs.
Education & How to Get In
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Petroleum Engineer roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.
Get Started Learning
Ready to start building skills for a career as a Petroleum Engineer? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.
Links open in a new tab. Some may include affiliate partnerships.
Work Environment
Hands-on, labs, workshops, or field sites
Mixed, alternates between solo focused work and collaboration
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Petroleum Engineer involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Petroleum Engineer?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Petroleum Engineer Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
Similar Careers
Explore More Careers
Job Outlook
Employment of Petroleum Engineers is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·25% creative/strategic tasks, AI augments, doesn't replace
- ·29% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make?
The median Petroleum Engineer earns $145k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Petroleum Engineer jobs?
Our model puts Petroleum Engineer at 37 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 25% creative/strategic tasks, AI augments, doesn't replace; 29% physical tasks, limited by robotics progress.
Is Petroleum Engineer a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 2% between 2025 and 2035, which is slower than average. That works out to roughly 1,000 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Petroleum Engineer?
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Petroleum Engineer roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.
How long does it take to become a Petroleum Engineer?
Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Petroleum Engineer career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes