Petroleum Engineer

← All careers
Engineering

Petroleum Engineer

$144,910 · BLS median

Among the highest-paid engineering fields — small but lucrative, tied to the energy sector. Top 10% >$253K.

PETROLEUM ENGINEER 1 BS petroleum 2 FE → EIT 3 Engineer 4 PE license · $145K 5 Senior / manage
Gold = credential gate. Each turn: more skill → more pay → the next step.
  1. 1
    Bachelor's (petroleum/mechanical)
    A 4-year petroleum (or mechanical) engineering degree.
    ◆ GMA Academy — STEM prep
  2. 2
    Pass the FE exam (EIT)
    The FE exam → Engineer-in-Training.
    ◆ GMA jobs + mentor
  3. 3
    Work as an engineer
    Reservoir, drilling, or production work.
  4. 4
    Earn the PE license · $145K
    The PE license; top 10% >$253K.
  5. 5
    Senior engineer / management
    Senior/lead or engineering management.

The flywheel: a PE license + field/reservoir experience compounds into senior and management roles in a high-pay, high-barrier specialty.