EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Petroleum Engineer Salary
in Stockton, CA

Develop methods to extract oil and gas from below the Earth's surface. Median salary in Stockton: $152K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$152K
per year
Take-home: $93K

Salary range in Stockton

Entry level (25th)$116,000
Median (50th)$152,000
Senior (75th)$197,000
Top earner (90th)$252,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Stockton, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Stockton

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

5% premium vs national median

Petroleum Engineers in Stockton earn approximately 5% higher than the US national median for this role — a $7,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Stockton's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

9.3% state tax = $14,136/yr

California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $14,136 per year at the median salary. A Petroleum Engineer relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Primarily on-site role

Only 15% of Petroleum Engineer positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Stockton salary above represents what local employers actually pay — 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.

Key facts for Stockton

Median salary
$152K
annual
Take-home pay
$93K
after fed/state tax
COL index
105
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.3%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,500
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Stockton Petroleum Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $159K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Stockton

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

HistoricalProjected
Petroleum Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$127K$136K$144K$153K$161K201920212023202520272029
2026
$154K
projected
2027
$156K
projected
2028
$158K
projected
2029
$159K
projected
2030
$161K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$154,000+$2,000
2028 projected$156,000+$4,000
2029 projected$158,000+$6,000
2030 projected$159,000+$7,000

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

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

The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Stockton, CA is $152,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Stockton–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 Stockton

Entry-level Petroleum Engineers in Stockton with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $116,000 and $152,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $152,000 to $197,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $197,000 to $252,000 or more.

Cost of living in Stockton for Petroleum Engineers

Stockton has a cost of living index of 105 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Stockton are close to the national average. 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
Stockton (current)$152K105
Los Angeles$181K163
San Diego$177K148
San Jose$206K210
San Francisco$210K224
Fresno$138K102