Petroleum Engineers in Washington. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Washington petroleum engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $129,510 and $176,740, with a median of $134,800.
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Petroleum Engineers pay by experience level in Washington
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Washington over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.4 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- 02
Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
- 03
Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- 04
Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- 05
Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- 06
Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- 07
Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel.
- 08
Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for petroleum engineers in major Washington metropolitan areas.
- Seattle$134,800
Compare Petroleum Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Washington with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Petroleum Engineers in Washington?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Petroleum Engineers in Washington is $134,800.
- How does Washington compare to the national median for Petroleum Engineers?
- The Washington median is -7.7% versus the BLS national figure of $145,981.
- What is the salary range for Petroleum Engineers in Washington?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $107,690 and the 90th-percentile at $184,360, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Petroleum Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Petroleum Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.