Petroleum Engineer salary in Louisiana
Petroleum Engineers in Louisiana earn a median of $139,640 a year ($67.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,800 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $144,910. Louisiana ranks 7th of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay. There are 0.37 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $138,270, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| 25th percentile | $89,880 | $43.21 |
| Median | $139,640 | $67.13 |
| 75th percentile | $178,810 | $85.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,800 | $106.64 |
| Average (mean) | $138,270 | $66.48 |
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 | $11,636.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,818.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,370.77 |
| Weekly | $2,685.38 |
| Hourly | $67.13 |
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 Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $148,390 | 320 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Civil Engineer | $105,380 | $50.66 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $119,540 | $57.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $122,920 | $59.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,710 | $59.48 |
| Chemical Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $100,390 | $48.26 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $118,490 | $56.97 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,510 | $62.74 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $136,970 | $65.85 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,670 | $61.86 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $84,320 | $40.54 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $58,960 | $28.35 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in Louisiana is $139,640 a year, or $67.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in Louisiana earn at least $221,800 a year. The top 25% earn $178,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,440 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $89,880 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in Louisiana?
About 710 petroleum engineers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.