Petroleum Engineer salary in Grand Junction, CO
Petroleum Engineers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn a median of $161,940 a year ($77.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $254,020 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $144,910. Pay here is 6% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $172,190. There are 0.81 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 7.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $151,330, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Grand Junction, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,270 | $39.55 |
| 25th percentile | $89,970 | $43.26 |
| Median | $161,940 | $77.85 |
| 75th percentile | $191,220 | $91.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $254,020 | $122.13 |
| Average (mean) | $151,330 | $72.76 |
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 | $13,495 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,747.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,228.46 |
| Weekly | $3,114.23 |
| Hourly | $77.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Petroleum Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $174,580 | 900 |
| 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 |
See Petroleum Engineer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Junction, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $92,450 | $44.45 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $105,210 | $50.58 |
| Industrial Engineer | $84,670 | $40.71 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| Surveyor | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,070 | $32.72 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,300 | $29.47 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Grand Junction, CO
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 Grand Junction, CO?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area is $161,940 a year, or $77.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $254,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Grand Junction, CO?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn at least $254,020 a year. The top 25% earn $191,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Grand Junction, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,270 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $89,970 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in Grand Junction, CO?
About 50 petroleum engineers are employed in the Grand Junction, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.