Petroleum Engineers in California
Considering working as a Petroleum Engineers in California? Below are the key facts. 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.
What do Petroleum Engineers Make in California?
The petroleum engineers working in California, the median annual wage is $147,780 per year (or about $71.05/hour).Annual wages span from $78,510 at the 10th percentile to $219,170 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,510 | $37.74 |
| 25th percentile | $97,600 | $46.93 |
| Median (50th) | $147,780 | $71.05 |
| 75th percentile | $178,310 | $85.72 |
| 90th percentile | $219,170 | $105.37 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California compared to the national average — is 0.53, indicating fewer petroleum engineers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, petroleum engineers earn a median of $137,336 per year ($66.03/hour), higher than the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 382,293 petroleum engineers nationwide. In California alone, around 1,190 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 190 petroleum engineers.
Top California Metros for Petroleum Engineers
The largest metro-area employers of petroleum engineers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 300 | $161,320 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 280 | $139,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 280 | $97,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 60 | $163,310 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 50 | $151,240 |
Top States for Petroleum Engineers Employment
These states have the highest employment of petroleum engineers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 10,640 |
| Oklahoma | 1,290 |
| California | 1,190 |
| Colorado | 1,140 |
| Louisiana | 920 |
| Pennsylvania | 470 |
| New Mexico | 390 |
| Utah | 380 |
| Wyoming | 320 |
| Alaska | 310 |
| Montana | 200 |
| North Dakota | 190 |
| Washington | 170 |
| Ohio | 170 |
| West Virginia | 160 |
| Kansas | 160 |
| Alabama | 140 |
| Michigan | 80 |
| Nebraska | 70 |
| Minnesota | 60 |
Highest-Paying States for Petroleum Engineers
Where petroleum engineers earn the most: petroleum engineers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $200,750 |
| Colorado | $167,540 |
| Utah | $166,580 |
| Tennessee | $164,240 |
| Texas | $153,200 |
| Wyoming | $152,770 |
| California | $147,780 |
| Oklahoma | $142,470 |
| New Jersey | $140,800 |
| Louisiana | $134,630 |
Skills
Key petroleum engineers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for petroleum engineers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, petroleum engineers typically:
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
- Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment.
- Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
- Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems.
- Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel.
- Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development.
- Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel.
Work Activities
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Processing Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD, C#, C++ In-demand technologies: Autodesk AutoCAD
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Petroleum Engineering
- Civil Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to petroleum engineers include:
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Chemical Engineers
- Civil Engineers
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Electrical Engineers
Also Known As
Certification Engineer, Completion Engineer, Completions Engineer, Design Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Engineer, Exploration Engineer, Gas Distribution Engineer, Gas Engineer, Gas Turbine Engineer, Logging Engineer, Mining and Oil Field Equipment Design Engineer, Mining and Oil Field Equipment Test Engineer, Mining and Oil Well Equipment Research Engineer, Mud Engineer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 17-2171.00
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