Petroleum engineers develop and manage the extraction of oil and gas from the earth. The work is technical, problem-focused, and requires a bachelor's degree. Here is what the job entails, the skills it demands, and how to get started.
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Petroleum engineers design and oversee systems for extracting oil and natural gas from underground reserves. You analyze geological data and information to identify promising sites, make decisions about drilling methods, and solve technical problems that arise during extraction. The work involves extensive use of computers and specialized software to model subsurface conditions, process complex information, and monitor operations. You identify and evaluate geological features and track performance metrics to ensure safe, efficient production. This role combines field knowledge with advanced technical analysis.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Petroleum Engineers earn a median of $144,910 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 1,200 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related engineering field. Your coursework will cover engineering and technology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer systems. The preparation is considerable, requiring strong analytical and technical skills from the start. During your degree, you will develop critical thinking and reading comprehension through rigorous problem sets and technical literature. Many programs include internships or capstone projects that connect classroom learning to real-world extraction challenges.
Most petroleum engineers enter through a bachelor's degree program. The path is straightforward but demanding, so if you want to map out the timeline, coursework, and next steps, Pathly can map the petroleum engineer path that fits you and work through it with your counselor.
Many petroleum engineers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to realistic, hands-on problem solving. You think systematically about how things work and enjoy applying technical knowledge to tangible challenges in resource extraction.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).