EngineeringUpdated Q1 2025

Petroleum Engineer Salary
in Washington, DC

Develop methods to extract oil and gas from below the Earth's surface. Median salary in Washington: $191K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$191K
per year
Take-home: $118K

Salary range in Washington

Entry level (25th)$145,000
Median (50th)$191,000
Senior (75th)$248,000
Top earner (90th)$317,000

Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Washington, District of Columbia.

Key facts for Washington

Median salary
$191K
annual
Take-home pay
$118K
after fed/state tax
COL index
152
100 = US avg
State income tax
8.5%
annual
Avg 1BR rent
$2,700
per month
YoY growth
+1.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Washington 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 $203K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Washington

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

HistoricalProjected
Petroleum Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$160K$171K$182K$192K$203K201920212023202520272029
2026
$193K
projected
2027
$196K
projected
2028
$198K
projected
2029
$200K
projected
2030
$203K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$196,000+$5,000
2028 projected$198,000+$7,000
2029 projected$200,000+$9,000
2030 projected$203,000+$12,000

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

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Petroleum Engineer Salary in Washington, District of Columbia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Petroleum Engineer salary in Washington, DC is $191,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Washington–DC 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 Washington

Entry-level Petroleum Engineers in Washington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $145,000 and $191,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $191,000 to $248,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $248,000 to $317,000 or more.

Cost of living in Washington for Petroleum Engineers

Washington has a cost of living index of 152 compared to the US national average of 100. Washington's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. District of Columbia has a 8.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Petroleum Engineer

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