Petroleum Engineer salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Petroleum Engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median of $143,590 a year ($69.03 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $57,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,950 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $144,910. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $143,590. The average (mean) salary is $150,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,420 | $27.61 |
| 25th percentile | $143,580 | $69.03 |
| Median | $143,590 | $69.03 |
| 75th percentile | $165,560 | $79.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,950 | $104.79 |
| Average (mean) | $150,800 | $72.50 |
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 | $11,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,982.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,522.69 |
| Weekly | $2,761.35 |
| Hourly | $69.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $143,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Petroleum Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $167,000 | 330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $166,570 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $161,050 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $147,440 | 160 |
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 |
See Petroleum Engineer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Industrial Engineer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $161,370 | $77.58 |
| Engineers, All Other | $159,800 | $76.83 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $203,890 | $98.02 |
| Electrical Engineer | $166,030 | $79.82 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $162,440 | $78.10 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $140,660 | $67.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $138,840 | $66.75 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $191,260 | $91.95 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $147,220 | $70.78 |
| Materials Engineer | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $140,520 | $67.56 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $173,790 | $83.55 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $143,590 a year, or $69.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn at least $217,950 a year. The top 25% earn $165,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,420 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $143,580 or less.