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Petroleum Engineers Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Petroleum Engineers make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$143,590
Median Annual Salary
▼
-2.8% vs 2024
$147,940
Mean Salary
$143,590
Median Salary
$69.03
Hourly Rate
1,060 people work as Petroleum Engineers in California
Petroleum Engineers salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Petroleum Engineers in California earn a median salary of $143,590 per year ($11,965/month).
This is 7.6% above the national average of $133,391.
California ranks #6 out of 16 states for Petroleum Engineers pay.
Approximately 1,060 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries decreased by 2.8% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Petroleum Engineers
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.
Top Skills
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Active Listening
3.88
Writing
3.88
Speaking
3.88
Key Knowledge Areas
Engineering and Technology
4.4
Mathematics
4.12
Physics
3.52
Computers and Electronics
3.51
Chemistry
3.39
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(71.6% of workers)
Salaries for Petroleum Engineers in California range from $61,780 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $207,370 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $126,500 and $171,980.
How much do Petroleum Engineers make in California?
The median annual salary for Petroleum Engineers in California is $143,590 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $147,940.
What is the salary range for a Petroleum Engineers in California?
Salaries for Petroleum Engineers in California range from $61,780 at the 10th percentile to $207,370 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $126,500 and $171,980.
What is the starting salary for a Petroleum Engineers in California?
Entry-level Petroleum Engineers positions in California typically start around $61,780 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $126,500 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Petroleum Engineers in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,060 people are employed as Petroleum Engineers in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Petroleum Engineers in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Petroleum Engineers in California is approximately $69.03 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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