Petroleum Engineers

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
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.

What a petroleum engineer does

Become a petroleum engineer

If you enjoy doing these activities, you might make a good petroleum engineer

  • Reading work related information.
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

Discover what you could earn in Washington

  • Average hourly rate is $55 per hour with an average salary of $114,600 per year.
  • Half of workers earn between $38 and $62 per hour.
  • Half of workers earn an annual salary between $79,000 and $129,300 per year.

Petroleum Engineer job outlook

  • There are 5 openings per year in this occupation in Washington.

Growth rate by year

Education needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Programs to get you there

See all programs