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Job outlook for reservoir engineers in the United States
Are reservoir engineer jobs in demand?
Reservoir engineer job and salary trends over time
Reservoir engineer jobs over time
Reservoir engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,694 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,396 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,977 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,964 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,903 | 0.00% |
Average reservoir engineer salary over time
Reservoir engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $124,309 | $59.76 | --0.3% |
| 2024 | $124,662 | $59.93 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | $124,164 | $59.69 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $119,738 | $57.57 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $116,072 | $55.80 | --1.4% |
Reservoir engineer jobs by state
Most common states for reservoir engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 174 | 25% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 66 | 7% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 548 | 6% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 336 | 5% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 287 | 5% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 260 | 5% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,460 | 4% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 250 | 4% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 168 | 4% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 192 | 3% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 91 | 3% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 55 | 3% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 39 | 3% |
| 14 | Vermont | 623,657 | 21 | 3% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 20 | 3% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 18 | 3% |
| 17 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 527 | 2% |
| 18 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 415 | 2% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 50 | 2% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 21 | 2% |
Most common cities for reservoir engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | 1 | 1% | $99,310 |
| 2 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $131,038 |
| 3 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $132,813 |
Reservoir Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of reservoir engineer experts
University of Pittsburgh
University of North Dakota
The University of Texas Permian Basin
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Colorado School of Mines
Weber State University
Colorado School of Mines
What general advice would you give to a Reservoir Engineer?
Dr. Robert Enick: We will be moving away from fossil fuels toward increasing proportions of renewable energy during the 'energy transition'. However, even the most optimistic US Dept. of Energy's Energy Information Agency projections indicate that this transition will take many decades to complete. Therefore, the need to responsibly produce oil and natural gas is not 'going away' soon, even under the most optimistic scenarios, and the production of these resources is the main responsibility of PetE's.
What Reservoir Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Enick: Petroleum engineers can have a wide variety of jobs; for example, Some of them become part of the teams that drill the wells deep into the earth to access layers of porous rock that contain natural gas or oil. Some PetE's arrive on site when the well is being drilled with tools that can be inserted into the well to determine if the well has penetrated porous rock layers containing natural gas or oil. Some PetE's will remain at a location for a long time once the wells in the area have been completed. After oil well production slows down and becomes uneconomic, it may make sense to inject a fluid into some wells to help push the oil into neighboring wells. In the US there are two favorite injected fluids. If the oil is very thick (high viscosity), then steam can be injected; as the steam condenses it heats the oil and makes it flow more easily. If the oil is very thin (low viscosity), then one can inject high pressure CO2 into the well. CO2 is a great solvent for oil and for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). PetE's design the injection strategies for these 'EOR' processes. In the past few decades there has been a surge in the production of natural gas and/or oil from 'unconventional' rock such as shale. PetE's are involved in every step of these processes.
What will help Reservoir Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Robert Enick: Many people find petroleum engineering to be a very satisfying career because it produces the fuel that drives a substantial portion of the world economy. Petroleum engineers are also at the forefront of geologic disposal of CO2 in aquifers that is in its infancy now but it likely to grow dramatically in the immediate future. Petroleum engineering is also very appealing to people who enjoy 'hands-on' type of work and some travel. Petroleum engineers may also have the opportunity to work on off-shore platforms on a schedule that involves working 12-hr days for 7 days in a row, and then getting 2 weeks off. Some people may dislike petroleum engineering because it produces fuels that, once burned to generate heat or power, release CO2 into the atmosphere. Some consider petroleum engineering to be 'dirty' type of work. Some may think that given the interest in renewable energy that this field will not be around long enough for their career.
What general advice would you give to a Reservoir Engineer?
Andreas Michael Ph.D.: The same skills that were important and prevalent in the field throughout the past and present. Fundamentals do not change. A state-of-the-art drilling simulator of today, for instance, will not be around in 30 years' time (at least not in its current form), but you can bet that the second law of thermodynamics will be. The emphasis should be on these classic elements.
What Reservoir Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andreas Michael Ph.D.: Bar none, the primary virtue of petroleum-engineering-degree holders must be a strong competitive advantage in the relevant jobs market, relating to oil and gas exploration and production. A strong focus on the basics of their 'trade' is what will make them 'good at their job' - completeness on all fronts.
What will help Reservoir Engineers increase their earning potential?
Andreas Michael Ph.D.: If you want to enjoy success in petroleum engineering, you have to stay in the field long-term, making sure you grow deep, solid 'roots.' Retention matters. Historically, truly successful individuals held a well-balanced, multifaceted domain knowledge within the field.
Jon Olson Professor
Cockrell Family Chair in Engineering #17The University of Texas Permian Basin
Petroleum Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Reservoir Engineer?
Jon Olson Professor: The core fundamentals of petroleum engineering are still going to be important, but proficiency in computer programming and data science is now also expected. An eye on sustainability is important as companies work to maintain their social license to operate. And everyone needs good communication skills - whether it be for presentations to supervisors or peers, writing reports or being effective with emails.
What Reservoir Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jon Olson Professor: You need to be willing to go to where the work is. For many, that means working in the Permian Basin, even though they may wish to be stationed in a big metroplex like Houston. But there is no substitute for the great experience and learning you get by being close to the field, where you can get out of the office and see first-hand how the oil business works.
What will help Reservoir Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jon Olson Professor: Compensation in the oil and gas business is very good for all starting employees, particularly if you work for an operator. You can move up the ladder by being hard-working, flexible, and willing to take on new projects when they arise. Being innovative in your approach to problem-solving is also going to get you noticed, which will involve taking risks by not just following the pack in all you do. There is still room for improvement in all we do.
What general advice would you give to a Reservoir Engineer?
Ahmed Temani: As a new Petroleum Engineering graduate, it's crucial to be adaptable, eager to learn, and gain practical experience. Exploring different areas within petroleum engineering can help you discover your interests. Networking is key - attending industry events and joining professional organizations can provide valuable connections and opportunities. Staying up-to-date with new technologies in our rapidly evolving industry is also important.
What Reservoir Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Temani: To maximize your salary potential in Petroleum Engineering, focus on continuous learning and skill development. Specializing in a specific area of petroleum engineering can increase your value to employers. Consider pursuing advanced degrees to further enhance your salary potential. Gaining experience in challenging environments or roles, such as international projects, can also be beneficial. Actively participate in professional organizations and take on leadership roles when possible. Building a strong professional online presence can also contribute to your career advancement.
What will help Reservoir Engineers increase their earning potential?
Ahmed Temani: The petroleum engineering industry is moving rapidly towards data-driven decision-making, digitalization, and sustainability. Skills in data analysis, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be increasingly used to optimize processes. Demand is also rising for knowledge and technologies related to sustainability and clean energy.
Daniel Croce
Post-Doctoral ResearcherColorado School of Mines
Petroleum Engineering Department / Center for Hydrate Research
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Reservoir Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Croce: Data analysis, modeling and forecasting and remote support should gain more importance for the petroleum industry given the necessity of personnel gathering avoidance. The energy demand will increase as regular activities recover, so preparing for the upcoming months is of key importance. Activities such as flow assurance, supply and replenishment and asset valuation should occupy a key role as the activities around the world start to speed up.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Reservoir Engineers?
Daniel Croce: In overall, learning fundamental coding and data analysis skills is of great importance to understand energy consumption behaviors that cannot be modeled but by using statistical resources. Larger data sets of different nature are more and more available every day, and it is of key importance to know what data to use and how to use it. The key for success will be to not fall in the trap of doing machine learning or following data analysis trends just because everybody is doing it. It will be key to understand if its needed and what to expect from it.
Another point to mention is that the industry has different needs according to the geographical location. In particular, the United States has seen a large boom from the development of shale formations that now require artificial lift technologies and reservoir stimulation techniques that increase the ROI of the large investments made in the past eight or so years. In that sense, understanding "the fundamentals" of these activities and their current limitations will be a great requirement to challenge the existing boundaries and methods and bring the success required for the next decades. Courses related to these activities will be of major importance in the short term for the O&G industry.
What will help Reservoir Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
M. Stephen Enders Ph.D.
Professor & Department HeadColorado School of Mines
Mining Engineering Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Reservoir Engineer job market given the pandemic?
M. Stephen Enders Ph.D.: The pandemic has caused slow-downs and some shutdowns as a result of COVID infections; but otherwise, the robust market for metals and minerals continues to be strong. This is due to several factors, the most news-worthy has been the continued strength of Chinese demand in the shorter term and from the energy transition and need for critical minerals in the longer term. I believe the job market for upcoming graduates who want a career in the mining and mineral exploration business will be strong in 2021.
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