EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025

Petroleum Engineer Salary
in Sacramento, CA

Develop methods to extract oil and gas from below the Earth's surface. Median salary in Sacramento: $167K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$167K
per year
Take-home: $102K

Salary range in Sacramento

Entry level (25th)$126,000
Median (50th)$167,000
Senior (75th)$216,000
Top earner (90th)$276,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Sacramento, California.

Key facts for Sacramento

Median salary
$167K
annual
Take-home pay
$102K
after fed/state tax
COL index
128
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.3%
annual
Avg 1BR rent
$1,800
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Sacramento Petroleum Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $177K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Sacramento

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

HistoricalProjected
Petroleum Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$140K$149K$159K$168K$177K201920212023202520272029
2026
$169K
projected
2027
$171K
projected
2028
$173K
projected
2029
$175K
projected
2030
$177K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$171,000+$4,000
2028 projected$173,000+$6,000
2029 projected$175,000+$8,000
2030 projected$177,000+$10,000

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

Full salary breakdown & negotiation guide

Unlock the full salary report + negotiation email template

Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates — unsubscribe anytime.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Sacramento, California: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Sacramento, CA is $167,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Sacramento–CA 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 Petroleum Engineer in Sacramento

Entry-level Petroleum Engineers in Sacramento with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $126,000 and $167,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $167,000 to $216,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $216,000 to $276,000 or more.

Cost of living in Sacramento for Petroleum Engineers

Sacramento has a cost of living index of 128 compared to the US national average of 100. Sacramento's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Petroleum Engineer

Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Petroleum Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Sacramento (current)$167K128
Los Angeles163
San Diego148
San Jose210
San Francisco224
Fresno102