Petroleum Engineer salary in Lincoln, NE
Petroleum Engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $98,010 a year ($47.12 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $78,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,810 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $144,910. Pay here is 3% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $100,800. The average (mean) salary is $119,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| 25th percentile | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Median | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| 75th percentile | $141,440 | $68.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,810 | $70.58 |
| Average (mean) | $119,510 | $57.46 |
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 | $8,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,083.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,769.62 |
| Weekly | $1,884.81 |
| Hourly | $47.12 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| Electrical Engineer | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Environmental Engineer | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Materials Engineer | $96,960 | $46.62 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $72,770 | $34.98 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,770 | $31.14 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $98,010 a year, or $47.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $146,810 a year. The top 25% earn $141,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,640 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $98,010 or less.