General
Petroleum Engineering
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Petroleum Engineering.
Entry Level Salary
$67,681
Median Salary
$112,550
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
22.7%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,502,000
Entry (Early)
$67,681
Median (Prime)
$112,550
High (Prime)
$159,821
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+143k
+506k
+883k
$25k / yr
+53k
+416k
+793k
$50k / yr
-37k
+326k
+703k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
30
24
23
$25k / yr
43
28
25
$50k / yr
Never
31
27
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
49%
383%
730%
$50k / yr
-17%
150%
323%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate30.9%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Architecture and engineering occupations
22.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,681
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$176,983|$97,310
openings
186,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.3%
Engineers, All Other
6.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$99,233
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$123,145|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Management occupations
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$121,554
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$159,284|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$56,275
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,915|$74,100
openings
142,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Top executives
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$101,295
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$263,028|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Postsecondary teachers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,031
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$26,031|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Civil engineers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$88,506
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$112,550|$99,590
openings
23,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5%
Project management specialists
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$191,335
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,592|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Software developers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$78,785
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Industrial engineers, including health and safety
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$101,295
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$131,514|$101,490
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| petroleum engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 23 | $77,469 - $145,353 |
| petroleum engineering. | Master's Degree | 20 | $192,907 - $192,907 |