Petroleum Engineer salary in Nebraska
Petroleum Engineers in Nebraska earn a median of $100,800 a year ($48.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,490 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $144,910. Nebraska ranks 13th of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay. There are 0.14 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,880 | $38.89 |
| 25th percentile | $95,960 | $46.13 |
| Median | $100,800 | $48.46 |
| 75th percentile | $135,540 | $65.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,490 | $79.56 |
| Average (mean) | $120,870 | $58.11 |
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 | $8,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,200 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,876.92 |
| Weekly | $1,938.46 |
| Hourly | $48.46 |
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 Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $98,010 | n/a |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $103,150 | $49.59 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,170 | $47.20 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,260 | $51.57 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,060 | $42.34 |
| Engineers, All Other | $88,490 | $42.54 |
| Environmental Engineer | $120,620 | $57.99 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $91,140 | $43.82 |
| Materials Engineer | $98,270 | $47.24 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $135,670 | $65.23 |
| Chemical Engineer | $98,310 | $47.27 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $103,230 | $49.63 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $83,890 | $40.33 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,950 | $64.88 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $61,550 | $29.59 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in Nebraska is $100,800 a year, or $48.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $165,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in Nebraska earn at least $165,490 a year. The top 25% earn $135,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,880 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $95,960 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in Nebraska?
About 150 petroleum engineers are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.