EnergyUpdated Q1 2026

Reservoir Engineer Salary
in Aurora, IL

Model reservoirs and optimize recovery of oil and gas over a field's life. Median salary in Aurora: $138K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$138K
per year
Take-home: $90K

Salary range in Aurora

Entry level (25th)$109,000
Median (50th)$138,000
Senior (75th)$171,000
Top earner (90th)$214,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Aurora, Illinois. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Aurora

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

5% discount vs national median

Reservoir Engineers in Aurora earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $7,000 discount on annual base salary. Aurora's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 95 (US avg = 100).

Primarily on-site role

Only 15% of Reservoir Engineer positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Aurora salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Slower wage growth (1.5%/yr)

Reservoir Engineer wages are growing at 1.5% year-over-year β€” slower than the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. Real wages may lag inflation in years where CPI exceeds this rate, so total compensation negotiation (bonus, equity, benefits) matters more than base salary growth for this role.

Key facts for Aurora

Median salary
$138K
annual
Take-home pay
$90K
after fed/state tax
COL index
95
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.95%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,300
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Aurora Reservoir Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $138K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Aurora

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Reservoir Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$116K$126K$136K$146K$156K201920212023202520272029
2026
$141K
projected
2027
$145K
projected
2028
$149K
projected
2029
$152K
projected
2030
$156K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$138,000+$0
2028 projected$138,000+$0
2029 projected$138,000+$0
2030 projected$138,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Reservoir Engineer Salary in Aurora, Illinois: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Reservoir Engineer salary in Aurora, IL is $138,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Aurora–IL metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Reservoir Engineer in Aurora

Entry-level Reservoir Engineers in Aurora with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $109,000 and $138,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $138,000 to $171,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $171,000 to $214,000 or more.

Cost of living in Aurora for Reservoir Engineers

Aurora has a cost of living index of 95 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 5% further in Aurora than the national average. Illinois has a 4.95% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Reservoir Engineer

Bachelor's degree. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Reservoir Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Aurora (current)$138K95
Chicago$152K107
Joliet$131K90
Naperville$171K118
Rockford$116K80