Petroleum Engineers Salary in California
Petroleum Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $143,590 —0.9% below the national median of $144,910. That ranks CA #6 of 16 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.50× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for petroleum engineers
All 16 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $206,290 | $99.18 | 280 | 7.53 |
| 2 | Utah | $172,840 | $83.10 | 280 | 1.40 |
| 3 | Colorado | $172,190 | $82.78 | 1,390 | 4.16 |
| 4 | Texas | $164,860 | $79.26 | 9,140 | 5.60 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | $153,020 | $73.57 | 1,450 | 7.29 |
| 6 | California | $143,590 | $69.03 | 1,060 | 0.50 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $139,640 | $67.13 | 710 | 3.17 |
| 8 | Washington | $134,800 | $64.81 | 190 | 0.45 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $132,120 | $63.52 | 130 | 2.58 |
| 10 | Kansas | $115,640 | $55.60 | 110 | 0.67 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do petroleum engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for petroleum engineers in California is $143,590, or $69.03 per hour. That is 0.9% below the national median of $144,910.
What is the entry-level petroleum engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $61,780 per year ($29.70/hour). The 25th percentile is $126,500.
How many people work as petroleum engineers in California?
About 1,060 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for petroleum engineers?
California ranks #6 of 16 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.50x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays petroleum engineers the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $206,290 per year, followed by Utah ($172,840) and Colorado ($172,190).