Petroleum Engineer salary in Columbus, OH
Petroleum Engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $99,260 a year ($47.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,010 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $144,910. Pay here is about the same as the Ohio statewide median of $99,260. There are 0.05 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $108,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| 25th percentile | $98,580 | $47.39 |
| Median | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| 75th percentile | $138,010 | $66.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,010 | $66.35 |
| Average (mean) | $108,730 | $52.27 |
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 | $8,271.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,135.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,817.69 |
| Weekly | $1,908.85 |
| Hourly | $47.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 |
See Petroleum Engineer pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,380 | $49.22 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,180 | $47.68 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $125,500 | $60.34 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,370 | $50.18 |
| Chemical Engineer | $110,860 | $53.30 |
| Environmental Engineer | $127,190 | $61.15 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $113,570 | $54.60 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $120,950 | $58.15 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,780 | $60.95 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $99,140 | $47.66 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area is $99,260 a year, or $47.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $138,010 a year. The top 25% earn $138,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,010 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $98,580 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in Columbus, OH?
About 60 petroleum engineers are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.