Petroleum Engineer salary in Montana
Petroleum Engineers in Montana earn a median of $104,060 a year ($50.03 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $77,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,590 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $144,910. Montana ranks 11th of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay. The average (mean) salary is $111,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| 25th percentile | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Median | $104,060 | $50.03 |
| 75th percentile | $137,540 | $66.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $155,590 | $74.80 |
| Average (mean) | $111,330 | $53.52 |
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 | $8,671.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,335.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,002.31 |
| Weekly | $2,001.15 |
| Hourly | $50.03 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,070 | $44.75 |
| Electrical Engineer | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Engineers, All Other | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $93,380 | $44.89 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $105,410 | $50.68 |
| Materials Engineer | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| Chemical Engineer | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,670 | $46.96 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,330 | $29.00 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in Montana is $104,060 a year, or $50.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $155,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Montana?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in Montana earn at least $155,590 a year. The top 25% earn $137,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,450 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $80,380 or less.