verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Colorado

Median Annual in Colorado
$172,190/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$82.78/hr
▲ 19% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Colorado

groups Employed in CO
1,390
public U.S. Median
$144,910
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$167,090 #5 of 16

Petroleum Engineer pay in Colorado, explained

Petroleum engineers in Colorado earn a median of $172,190 per year ($82.78 per hour), which is 19% above the national median of $144,910. Entry-level workers earn around $92,590, while the most experienced petroleum engineers reach about $264,960. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Colorado.

Is $172,190 good pay in Colorado?

Adjusted for Colorado's cost of living (which runs 103% of the U.S. average), that $172,190 is worth about $167,090 in national buying power — ranking Colorado #5 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Petroleum Engineer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Petroleum Engineer pay by experience in Colorado

Entry level (10th pct)
$92,590
$44.51/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$172,190
$82.78/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$264,960
$127.38/hr

Petroleum Engineer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CO
Colorado (here) $172,190 $167,090
Utah $172,840 $174,826 −$650
Oklahoma $153,020 $174,197 +$19,170
Kansas $115,640 $128,392 +$56,550
Nebraska $100,800 $111,872 +$71,390
New Mexico $99,900 $108,337 +$72,290

Petroleum Engineer in Colorado: FAQ

How much do petroleum engineers make in Colorado?

Petroleum engineers in Colorado earn a median of $172,190 per year ($82.78 per hour), compared with $144,910 nationally.

Does Colorado pay petroleum engineers well?

At $172,190, Colorado pays 19% above the national median for petroleum engineers. An estimated 1,390 work in the state.

Petroleum Engineer salary in other states

All 16 states ranked arrow_forward

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