Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Petroleum Engineer Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field. Petroleum engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering. Employers also value practical experience, which students sometimes gain through internships.
Education
College students typically pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering. High school students interested in studying petroleum engineering may benefit from taking classes in math, such as algebra, geometry, and calculus; and science, such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Bachelor’s degree engineering programs usually include academic, laboratory, and field work in subjects such as engineering principles, geology, and thermodynamics. College students may have an opportunity to participate in cooperative education programs or internships. Through partnerships with local businesses, these programs allow students to gain practical experience while they complete their education. Some colleges and universities offer a 5-year engineering program that leads to both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master's degree. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who graduated from an engineering program accredited by a professional association.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Licensure is not required for entry-level petroleum engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which allows them to oversee the work of other engineers, sign off on projects, and provide services directly to the public. State licensure typically requires a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of relevant work experience, and a passing score on the PE exam. Each state issues its own license. Most states recognize licensure from other states, as long as the licensing state’s requirements meet or exceed their own licensure requirements. Several states require continuing education for engineers to keep their licenses. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Advancement Petroleum engineers may advance to supervise a team of engineers and technicians, becoming engineering managers. For more information, see the profile on architectural and engineering managers.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of petroleum engineers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 1,000 openings for petroleum engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment The need for petroleum engineers to help facilitate oil and gas extraction at existing operations is expected to create some demand for these workers. U.S. oil and gas production may fluctuate based on changes in current global supply and demand or the future energy outlook, which in turn might affect employment of petroleum engineers. Petroleum Engineers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Engineers 8% Total, all occupations 3% Petroleum engineers 2% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Petroleum Engineers Do
Petroleum engineers devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production. They also oversee drilling and offer technical advice.
Duties
Petroleum engineers typically do the following:
- Design facilities to extract and produce oil and gas from reserves deep underground
- Develop plans to drill in oil and gas fields, and then to recover the oil and gas
- Analyze data to improve oil and gas production and reservoir recovery
- Ensure that oilfield equipment is installed, operated, and maintained properly
Petroleum engineers work with geoscientists and other specialists to explore for oil and gas deposits, or reservoirs, in rock formations underground. After discovering reservoirs, petroleum engineers determine the best methods of extraction through wells on land or offshore rigs at sea. Their tasks may include designing the well, selecting drilling methods and equipment, and designing surface facilities.
Existing extraction techniques recover only a portion of the oil and gas in a reservoir, so petroleum engineers also research and develop new ways to recover more of the oil and gas. For example, workers may inject water, chemicals, or gases into an oil reserve to force out more oil or gas.
The following are examples of types of petroleum engineers:
Completions engineers decide how to finish building wells so that oil or gas flows up from underground. They oversee work to complete the building of wells, such as using tubing or hydraulic fracturing.
Drilling engineers design ways to construct oil or gas wells. They also ensure that the drilling process is safe, efficient, and minimally disruptive to the environment.
Production engineers take over wells after drilling is completed. They typically monitor wells’ oil and gas production. If wells are not producing as much as expected, production engineers figure out ways to increase the amount being extracted.
Reservoir engineers estimate how much oil or gas can be recovered from reservoirs. They also monitor operations to ensure optimal recovery of these resources.
Some petroleum engineers use their knowledge of underground geologic formations to specialize in areas outside of oil and gas. These specialties include carbon capture and storage, geothermal drilling and extraction, and subsurface hydrogen storage.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Petroleum engineers held about 18,500 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of petroleum engineers were as follows:
| Oil and gas extraction | 33% |
| Support activities for mining | 18 |
| Engineering services | 9 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 8 |
| Petroleum and coal products manufacturing | 6 |
Petroleum engineers generally work in offices or at drilling and well sites. They may travel offshore, to remote areas, or to international locations, sometimes for long periods. Petroleum engineers often visit these sites to meet with other engineers, oilfield workers, and customers.
Work Schedules
Most petroleum engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Extended shifts may be necessary when traveling to and from drilling sites or when helping to troubleshoot operations.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Petroleum engineers must be able to evaluate data to monitor and improve production. Communication skills. Petroleum engineers must be able to explain and present complex, technical information to a variety of audiences, including nontechnical ones. Interpersonal skills. Petroleum engineers must be able to interact with other types of engineers and with nontechnical oil and gas workers. Math skills. Petroleum engineers use calculus and other math in their analysis, design, and troubleshooting work. Problem-solving skills. Petroleum engineers must be able to troubleshoot issues that arise and address them as safely and efficiently as possible.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about petroleum engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.