BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Petroleum Engineers in Colorado

$170,270 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$81.86 per hour

▲ 8.3% above U.S. average3rd of 16 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$170,270per year
Median$172,190per year
Hourly$81.86per hour
10th – 90th percentile$92,590 – $264,960per year

Petroleum Engineers Pay Range in Colorado

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$92,590
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$112,070
  • 50th Percentile — Median$172,190
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$214,220
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$264,960

Half of Petroleum Engineers in Colorado earn more than $172,190. The top 10% make $264,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $92,590.

Petroleum Engineers in Colorado: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Colorado ranks 3rd of 16 states for Petroleum Engineers pay, at $170,270 per year (8.3% above the U.S. average of $157,150).
  • 1,390 people work as Petroleum Engineers in Colorado — 7.7% of all U.S. Petroleum Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 4.16: Petroleum Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,590; the top 10% earn over $264,960.
  • Hourly equivalent: $81.86 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $199,700.
  • Among engineering jobs in Colorado, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($158,480).

Petroleum Engineers Job Market in Colorado

Key factors affecting compensation

Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Petroleum Engineers here earn $170,270 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $170,270 is roughly equivalent to $154,791 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($199,700), Texas ($171,580), Utah ($169,810) are the closest alternatives for Petroleum Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Petroleum Engineers salary in Colorado?

The average Petroleum Engineers salary in Colorado is $170,270 per year (median $172,190), which is 8.3% above the national average of $157,150.

How does Colorado rank for Petroleum Engineers pay?

Colorado ranks 3rd out of 16 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($199,700/yr).

How much do entry-level Petroleum Engineers make in Colorado?

The lowest-paid 10% of Petroleum Engineers in Colorado earn about $92,590 per year and the 25th percentile is $112,070.

How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Colorado?

About $81.86 per hour, based on the $170,270 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Petroleum Engineers work in Colorado?

BLS counts 1,390 Petroleum Engineers jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data