Petroleum Engineer salary in North Dakota
Petroleum Engineers in North Dakota earn a median of $132,120 a year ($63.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,040 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $144,910. North Dakota ranks 9th of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay. There are 0.30 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $130,910, close to the median.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,530 | $39.68 |
| 25th percentile | $98,510 | $47.36 |
| Median | $132,120 | $63.52 |
| 75th percentile | $158,280 | $76.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,040 | $81.75 |
| Average (mean) | $130,910 | $62.94 |
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 | $11,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,081.54 |
| Weekly | $2,540.77 |
| Hourly | $63.52 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,940 | $46.61 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,810 | $53.28 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Environmental Engineer | $91,370 | $43.93 |
| Chemical Engineer | $115,400 | $55.48 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $104,860 | $50.41 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,110 | $46.69 |
| Surveyor | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,870 | $29.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,930 | $38.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in North Dakota is $132,120 a year, or $63.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in North Dakota earn at least $170,040 a year. The top 25% earn $158,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,530 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $98,510 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in North Dakota?
About 130 petroleum engineers are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.