Petroleum Engineering
Types of Degrees Petroleum Engineering Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many petroleum engineering graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 386 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 146 |
| Graduate Certificate | 5 |
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What Petroleum Engineering Majors Need to Know
O*NET surveyed people in occupations related to petroleum engineering and asked them what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. The responses were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being most important.
Knowledge Areas for Petroleum Engineering Majors
According to O*NET survey takers, a major in petroleum engineering should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills for Petroleum Engineering Majors
petroleum engineering majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Abilities for Petroleum Engineering Majors
As you progress with your petroleum engineering degree, there are several abilities you should pick up that will help you in whatever related career you choose. These abilities include:
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
What Can You Do With a Petroleum Engineering Major?
People with a petroleum engineering degree often go into the following careers:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 5.5% | $140,760 |
| Engineering Professors | 14.7% | $101,720 |
| Petroleum Engineers | 15.1% | $137,170 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of petroleum engineering majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 20 |
| Black or African American | 8 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 18 |
| White | 68 |
| International Students | 264 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 8 |
Geographic Diversity
Petroleum Engineering appeals to people across the globe. About 68.4% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- China
- Saudi Arabia
- India
- Canada
- Kuwait
How Much Do Petroleum Engineering Majors Make?
Master’s Degree Starting Salary
The median early-career salary of petroleum engineering students with a master’s degree is $72,200 a year according to 2017-2018 data from the U.S. Department of Education. During this timeframe, most salaries fell between $72,200 (25th percentile) and $72,200 (75th percentile).
Note that some of these people may have jobs that are not directly related to a petroleum engineering degree.
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $113,680 to $156,370 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to petroleum engineering. This range includes all degree levels, so the salary for a person with just a bachelor’s degree may be a little less and the one for a person with an advanced degree may be a little more.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Petroleum Engineering
Some degrees associated with petroleum engineering may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. In general, the more advanced your degree the more career options will open up to you. However, there is significant time and money that needs to be invested into your education so weigh the pros and cons.
Find out what the typical degree level is for petroleum engineering careers below.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.7% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 60.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. | 5.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.8% |
| Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 3.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 3.0% |
Online Petroleum Engineering Programs
In 2018-2019, 30 schools offered a petroleum engineering program of some type. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 1 | 0 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 0 | 0 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 2 | 1 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 1 | 0 |
| Master’s Degree | 23 | 5 |
| Post-Master’s | 2 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 15 | 1 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 1 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Petroleum Engineering Worth It?
The median salary for a petroleum engineering grad is $148,970 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 273% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $2,181,400 after 20 years!
Majors Related to Petroleum Engineering
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to petroleum engineering.
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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