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The average salary for an oil well engineer stands at $83,972 per year. This figure reflects various factors including geographic location and level of experience. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years of experience can command significantly higher salaries.
Salaries for oil well engineers differ by state, with certain regions offering higher compensation due to demand and cost of living. For instance, states like Texas and North Dakota tend to provide more lucrative opportunities due to their active oil industries.
In addition to state variations, specific cities also stand out. Cities like Houston, TX, and Bakersfield, CA, are known for offering competitive salaries that can exceed the national average. Understanding the local job market can help aspiring engineers target their job searches effectively.
As professionals gain experience, they can explore higher-level positions, which often come with increased responsibilities and salary potential. Continuous education and specialized certifications can also enhance earning prospects in this vital field.
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The highest-paying states for oil well engineers are Nevada, Connecticut, and Delaware. The lowest average oil well engineer salary states are North Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $115,108 | $55.34 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $113,605 | $54.62 |
| 3 | Nevada | $119,729 | $57.56 |
| 4 | New York | $108,077 | $51.96 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $111,830 | $53.76 |
| 6 | Arizona | $100,344 | $48.24 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $115,625 | $55.59 |
| 8 | California | $103,240 | $49.63 |
| 9 | Virginia | $97,541 | $46.89 |
| 10 | Alaska | $107,518 | $51.69 |
| 11 | Texas | $95,030 | $45.69 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $115,065 | $55.32 |
| 13 | Washington | $95,094 | $45.72 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $95,777 | $46.05 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $100,863 | $48.49 |
| 16 | Vermont | $92,468 | $44.46 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $96,073 | $46.19 |
| 18 | Maine | $95,027 | $45.69 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $88,261 | $42.43 |
| 20 | Maryland | $85,897 | $41.30 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $93,220 | $44.82 |
| 22 | Idaho | $88,651 | $42.62 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $89,868 | $43.21 |
| 24 | Michigan | $81,868 | $39.36 |
| 25 | Oregon | $81,466 | $39.17 |
| 26 | Montana | $88,509 | $42.55 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $79,389 | $38.17 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $78,534 | $37.76 |
| 29 | Illinois | $80,912 | $38.90 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $76,552 | $36.80 |
| 31 | Indiana | $78,130 | $37.56 |
| 32 | Colorado | $75,904 | $36.49 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $82,689 | $39.75 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $79,444 | $38.19 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $77,646 | $37.33 |
| 36 | Ohio | $74,386 | $35.76 |
| 37 | Missouri | $79,661 | $38.30 |
| 38 | Iowa | $76,667 | $36.86 |
| 39 | Florida | $70,539 | $33.91 |
| 40 | Georgia | $71,326 | $34.29 |
| 41 | Utah | $60,757 | $29.21 |
| 42 | Kansas | $75,294 | $36.20 |
| 43 | Pennsylvania | $70,762 | $34.02 |
| 44 | Alabama | $58,879 | $28.31 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $68,610 | $32.99 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $71,488 | $34.37 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $67,716 | $32.56 |
| 48 | North Dakota | $61,764 | $29.69 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $58,125 | $27.94 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $59,169 | $28.45 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $54,506 | $26.20 |
The highest-paying cities for oil well engineers are Tulsa, OK, Midland, TX, and Spring, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa, OK | $99,551 | $47.86 |
| 2 | Midland, TX | $98,475 | $47.34 |
| 3 | Spring, TX | $95,198 | $45.77 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $95,105 | $45.72 |
| 5 | Greenwood Village, CO | $75,886 | $36.48 |
An oil well engineer's salary ranges from $47,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $147,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $147,000 | $12,250 | $71 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,000 | $9,333 | $54 |
| Average | $83,972 | $6,998 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| 10th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
The highest paying types of oil well engineers are completion engineer, reservoir engineer, and reservoir engineering consultant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Analyst | $72,163 | $6,014 | $34.69 | 12,120 |
| Completion Engineer | $156,228 | $13,019 | $75.11 | 11,512 |
| Reservoir Engineer | $124,309 | $10,359 | $59.76 | 17,430 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $99,505 | $8,292 | $47.84 | 15,188 |
| Drilling Fluids Engineer | $89,974 | $7,498 | $43.26 | 5,121 |
| Engineer | $92,076 | $7,673 | $44.27 | 618,207 |
Top companies hiring oil well engineers now:
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exxon Mobil | $146,102 | $70.24 |
| 2 | BP America Inc | $137,905 | $66.30 |
| 3 | Summit ESP | $88,612 | $42.60 |
The average oil well engineer salary has risen by $9,203 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average oil well engineer earned $74,769 annually, but today, they earn $83,972 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for oil well engineers over the last decade.
Compare oil well engineer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare oil well engineer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,000 | $40.37 | -0.3% |
| 2024 | $84,200 | $40.49 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | $83,900 | $40.32 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $80,900 | $38.89 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $78,400 | $37.70 | -1.4% |
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