Petroleum Engineer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Petroleum Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $135,630 a year ($65.21 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $92,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,780 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $144,910. The average (mean) salary is $131,810, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,590 | $44.52 |
| 25th percentile | $106,610 | $51.26 |
| Median | $135,630 | $65.21 |
| 75th percentile | $154,590 | $74.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,780 | $78.26 |
| Average (mean) | $131,810 | $63.37 |
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 | $11,302.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,651.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,216.54 |
| Weekly | $2,608.27 |
| Hourly | $65.21 |
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 |
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,390 | $55.00 |
| Engineers, All Other | $126,250 | $60.70 |
| Civil Engineer | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,500 | $52.17 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,230 | $50.11 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $78,720 | $37.84 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $135,630 a year, or $65.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $162,780 a year. The top 25% earn $154,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,590 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $106,610 or less.