Petroleum Engineers Salary in California

Petroleum engineers in California earn the most in Sacramento (average $168,400 a year) and the least in Bakersfield ($137,320), across the 5 California metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the petroleum engineers average at $147,940 and the median at $143,590 for 1,060 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $157,150.

Petroleum Engineers average salary by city in California

Sacramento$168,400
Oxnard$162,800
Los Angeles$161,650
San Francisco$150,800
Bakersfield$137,320

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Sacramento	$168,400	$166,570	$146,760	$114,798	107
Oxnard	$162,800	$161,050	$139,770	$111,491	111
Los Angeles	$161,650	$167,000	$133,050	$110,812	114
San Francisco	$150,800	$143,590	$143,580	$104,405	116
Bakersfield	$137,320	$147,440	$104,310	$96,445	101

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Petroleum Engineers salary in other states

Petroleum Engineers salary by city and state

More about pay in California

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-2171.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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