What it is
Petroleum engineering designs methods to extract oil and gas from the earth — one of the highest-paid engineering disciplines, increasingly connected to energy and geothermal work. Its pay leads engineering, though demand ties to the energy sector.
What you'll study
All engineering builds a rigorous math-and-science core, then specializes:
- Year 1–2Calculus, differential equations, physics, chemistry, intro engineering
- Year 2–3Core engineering science and reservoir engineering, drilling, production, and geology
- Year 3–4Advanced discipline courses, labs, and a capstone design project
- ThroughoutDesign, teamwork, and often co-ops/internships (many programs ABET-accredited)
Concentrations & focus areas
- Reservoir EngineeringManaging reservoirs
- Drilling EngineeringWells
- Production EngineeringExtraction
- Geothermal / EnergyAlternative energy
- PetrophysicsRock & fluid analysis
- CompletionsWell completion
Skills you'll build
Engineers build a powerful, transferable skill set:
- Analytical problem-solvingBreaking down hard problems
- Math & modelingQuantitative rigor
- DesignCreating and testing solutions
- Technical softwareDiscipline-specific tools
- Teamwork & communicationProjects and clients
Careers & job titles
This discipline leads to roles such as:
- Petroleum engineerExtraction systems (~$141,280)
- Reservoir engineerReservoirs
- Drilling engineerWells
- Production engineerExtraction
- Energy / geothermal rolesAlternative energy
- Project / operations managerWith experience
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects the architecture & engineering group to grow faster than average, with about 174,800 openings a year. Petroleum engineering is a specialized field whose demand ties to the energy sector; skills also transfer to geothermal and energy. Engineering skills are in demand across industry, technology, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Engineering pays well above average. Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, petroleum engineers had a median of $141,280 (2024) — among the highest-paid engineering fields — versus the all-occupation median of about $50,980. Earnings rise with experience, a graduate degree, and (in many fields) the Professional Engineer (PE) license; senior engineers, specialists, and managers earn well into six figures.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's (BEng/BS) is the entry credential; a master's deepens specialization and a PhD leads research. The PE license matters in many fields.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you enjoy math and science, like designing and building solutions, and want a well-paid, respected profession with strong job security.
Worth knowing: engineering is rigorous, and many roles benefit from the PE license (via the FE exam, experience, and the PE exam). Internships and co-ops strongly boost early careers.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusOil & gas extraction (and energy)
- StudyReservoir, drilling, production, geology
- PayLeads engineering median wages
- NoteDemand tied to the energy sector
- Pay$141,280 median (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: