Petroleum Engineer salary in Colorado
Petroleum Engineers in Colorado earn a median of $172,190 a year ($82.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,960 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $144,910. Colorado ranks 3rd of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.48 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $170,270, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,590 | $44.51 |
| 25th percentile | $112,070 | $53.88 |
| Median | $172,190 | $82.78 |
| 75th percentile | $214,220 | $102.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $264,960 | $127.39 |
| Average (mean) | $170,270 | $81.86 |
Half of petroleum engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $14,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,622.69 |
| Weekly | $3,311.35 |
| Hourly | $82.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Petroleum Engineer salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $174,580 | 900 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $161,940 | 50 |
| Greeley, CO | $132,240 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for petroleum engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 |
| Utah | $172,840 |
| Colorado | $172,190 |
| Texas | $164,860 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 |
| California | $143,590 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 |
| Washington | $134,800 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 |
| Kansas | $115,640 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,430 | $59.82 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,010 | $61.06 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,750 | $52.77 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,760 | $58.06 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $156,190 | $75.09 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $156,080 | $75.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| Environmental Engineer | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Materials Engineer | $124,030 | $59.63 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $120,950 | $58.15 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $88,650 | $42.62 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a petroleum engineer make in Colorado?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in Colorado is $172,190 a year, or $82.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in Colorado earn at least $264,960 a year. The top 25% earn $214,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,590 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $112,070 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in Colorado?
About 1,390 petroleum engineers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.