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Petroleum geologist salary
Average petroleum geologist salary
$111,574
Understanding Petroleum Geologist Salaries
The role of a Petroleum Geologist is vital in the energy sector, focusing on locating and extracting oil and natural gas resources. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $111,574 annually, although this figure can vary significantly based on location and years of experience.
In states like Texas and Alaska, Petroleum Geologists often command higher salaries due to increased demand for energy resources. Entry-level positions typically start around $80,000, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $150,000.
Additionally, specialization in areas such as geophysics or reservoir engineering can enhance earning potential. The job market for Petroleum Geologists is projected to remain strong, offering numerous opportunities for career advancement. Understanding the factors that influence salary can help professionals make informed decisions about their career paths.
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Where can a Petroleum Geologist earn more?
Petroleum geologist salary estimates from across the web
Average petroleum geologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for petroleum geologists are Texas, Oklahoma, and California. The lowest average petroleum geologist salary states are Nebraska, Georgia, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for petroleum geologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | $119,922 | $57.65 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $97,949 | $47.09 |
| 3 | Idaho | $104,221 | $50.11 |
| 4 | Nevada | $102,265 | $49.17 |
| 5 | Maine | $104,494 | $50.24 |
| 6 | Arizona | $109,929 | $52.85 |
| 7 | Texas | $133,153 | $64.02 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $95,590 | $45.96 |
| 9 | South Carolina | $101,131 | $48.62 |
| 10 | California | $119,564 | $57.48 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $107,473 | $51.67 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $100,569 | $48.35 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $96,000 | $46.15 |
| 14 | Alaska | $103,198 | $49.61 |
| 15 | Virginia | $109,980 | $52.88 |
| 16 | Washington | $104,373 | $50.18 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $94,987 | $45.67 |
| 18 | Montana | $93,258 | $44.84 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $94,296 | $45.33 |
| 20 | Ohio | $96,822 | $46.55 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $88,711 | $42.65 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $88,263 | $42.43 |
| 23 | Alabama | $97,882 | $47.06 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $93,388 | $44.90 |
| 25 | Vermont | $89,415 | $42.99 |
| 26 | Colorado | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| 27 | Michigan | $92,856 | $44.64 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $92,021 | $44.24 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $87,700 | $42.16 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | $92,885 | $44.66 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $85,783 | $41.24 |
| 32 | Delaware | $91,096 | $43.80 |
| 33 | Connecticut | $92,393 | $44.42 |
| 34 | Utah | $85,579 | $41.14 |
| 35 | Kansas | $81,025 | $38.95 |
| 36 | Oregon | $84,888 | $40.81 |
| 37 | New Jersey | $89,362 | $42.96 |
| 38 | Iowa | $74,837 | $35.98 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $73,967 | $35.56 |
| 40 | New York | $89,424 | $42.99 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $84,422 | $40.59 |
| 42 | Maryland | $90,003 | $43.27 |
| 43 | Florida | $85,323 | $41.02 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $70,497 | $33.89 |
| 45 | District of Columbia | $89,980 | $43.26 |
| 46 | Missouri | $76,665 | $36.86 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $69,726 | $33.52 |
| 48 | Indiana | $65,325 | $31.41 |
| 49 | Illinois | $78,586 | $37.78 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | $65,442 | $31.46 |
| 51 | Georgia | $72,795 | $35.00 |
Highest paying cities for petroleum geologists
The highest-paying cities for petroleum geologists are Houston, TX, Boulder, CO, and Columbus, OH.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $134,921 | $64.87 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $98,378 | $47.30 |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $96,794 | $46.54 |
| 4 | Champaign, IL | $76,555 | $36.81 |
Petroleum geologist salary details
A petroleum geologist's salary ranges from $70,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $176,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a petroleum geologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $176,000 | $14,667 | $85 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $11,833 | $68 |
| Average | $111,574 | $9,298 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,000 | $7,250 | $42 |
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
Highest paying petroleum geologist jobs
The highest paying types of petroleum geologists are research geologist, exploration geologist, and consulting geologist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geology Internship | $109,240 | $9,103 | $52.52 | 48,632 |
| Geophysicist | $105,067 | $8,756 | $50.51 | 287 |
| Geoscientist | $110,629 | $9,219 | $53.19 | 302 |
| Consulting Geologist | $112,160 | $9,347 | $53.92 | 5,484 |
| Engineer And Geologist | $101,882 | $8,490 | $48.98 | 3,083 |
| Exploration Geologist | $112,376 | $9,365 | $54.03 | 667 |
Top companies hiring petroleum geologists now:
Which companies pay petroleum geologists the most?
Petroleum geologist salaries at ConocoPhillips and Exxon Mobil are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average petroleum geologist salary at companies like BP America Inc and Battelle are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ConocoPhillips | $152,249 | $73.20 |
| 2 | Exxon Mobil | $140,638 | $67.61 |
| 3 | BP America Inc | $139,773 | $67.20 |
| 4 | Battelle | $136,831 | $65.78 |
| 5 | Petrolog Limited | $112,673 | $54.17 |
| 6 | University of Illinois Springfield | $112,481 | $54.08 |
| 7 | Mill Creek Capital Advisors | $107,927 | $51.89 |
| 8 | Platte River Academy | $93,573 | $44.99 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Petroleum geologist salary trends
The average petroleum geologist salary has risen by $10,862 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average petroleum geologist earned $100,712 annually, but today, they earn $111,574 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for petroleum geologists over the last decade.
Compare petroleum geologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average petroleum geologist salary over time
Compare petroleum geologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Petroleum geologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $112,000 | $53.64 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $110,000 | $52.76 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $109,000 | $52.24 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $107,000 | $51.50 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $107,000 | $51.46 | +0.1% |
Recently added petroleum geologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millcreek Capital Management LLC | Petroleum Geologist | Texas | 01/18/2024 | $86,029 |
| Millcreek Capital Management LLC | Petroleum Geologist | Texas | 01/18/2024 | $86,029 |
Petroleum geologist salary FAQs
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