Petroleum Engineers

Overview

Petroleum Engineers has a national median salary of $144,910 per year, with +2% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

Work Values

• Independence
• Working Conditions
• Achievement

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
• Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications.
• Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
• Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
• Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.

Work Activities

• Analyzing Data or Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Working with Computers
• Getting Information
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Processing Information
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Thinking Creatively
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Detailed Work Activities

• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Petroleum Engineers:

Video Resources