Petroleum Engineers Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,723
- 25th Percentile — Junior$103,235
- 50th Percentile — Median$120,275
- 75th Percentile — Senior$167,388
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$193,344
Half of Petroleum Engineers in Kentucky earn more than $120,275. The top 10% make $193,344 or more, while entry-level workers start around $74,723.
Petroleum Engineers in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for Petroleum Engineers pay, at $130,434 per year (17.0% below the U.S. average of $157,150).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,723; the top 10% earn over $193,344.
- Hourly equivalent: $62.71 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $243,582.
- Among engineering jobs in Kentucky, Aerospace Engineers pays the most ($133,200).
Petroleum Engineers Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Petroleum Engineers here earn $130,434 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $130,434 is roughly equivalent to $157,149 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($135,149), Indiana ($133,578), North Dakota ($130,910) are the closest alternatives for Petroleum Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Aerospace Engineers $133,200/yr Kentucky +2.1% vs this role
- Chemical Engineers $122,160/yr Kentucky 6.3% vs this role
- Nuclear Engineers $116,549/yr Kentucky 10.6% vs this role
- Environmental Engineers $113,090/yr Kentucky 13.3% vs this role
- Computer Hardware Engineers $109,310/yr Kentucky 16.2% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $106,970/yr Kentucky 18.0% vs this role
- Civil Engineers $105,310/yr Kentucky 19.3% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $103,320/yr Kentucky 20.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Petroleum Engineers salary in Kentucky?
The average Petroleum Engineers salary in Kentucky is $130,434 per year (median $120,275), which is 17.0% below the national average of $157,150.
How does Kentucky rank for Petroleum Engineers pay?
Kentucky ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($243,582/yr).
How much do entry-level Petroleum Engineers make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Petroleum Engineers in Kentucky earn about $74,723 per year and the 25th percentile is $103,235.
How much do Petroleum Engineers make per hour in Kentucky?
About $62.71 per hour, based on the $130,434 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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