USA Career Guide - Petroleum Engineers
Education and Training Requirements of Petroleum Engineer
To work as Petroleum engineer in USA one needs at least bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering accredited by ABET. Good work avenues open for those who have a Petroleum engineering qualification along with Professional Engineer license and work experience. Petroleum Engineering is offered as 4 year college course in USA to award a bachelor’s degree. Those who have 4 years in Petroleum engineering can also apply for graduate program in Petroleum engineering leading to award of masters and research degrees. Candidates interested in joining college course in Petroleum engineering should take high school courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
Related Instructional Programs/Degrees for Petroleum Engineers in USA
- Petroleum Engineering, BS
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, BS
Industrial Overview
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics petroleum engineers held about 30,200 jobs in 2010. Industries employing the largest numbers of petroleum engineers in 2010 were as follows:
- Oil and gas extraction - 45%
- Support activities for mining - 15%
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing - 7%
Job Prospects of Petroleum Engineer
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 17% job growth for petroleum engineers from year 2010 to 2020. This is the fastest growing field among all engineering professions in United States which owes more demand of energy vis-à-vis shortage of petroleum products. Also older professionals will also be retiring from job every year which will be creating job opportunities for new professionals in the field. In future oil drilling mechanisms will be more rigorous which will also create more job vacancies in oil drilling companies. Petroleum Engineers are among one of the higher paid professionals not only in America but across the world.
Pay of a Petroleum Engineer in the US
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for petroleum engineers was $114,080 in May 2010. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of petroleum engineers in May 2010 were as follows:
- Oil and gas extraction - $123,410
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing - $113,930
- Support activities for mining - $94,080
The Society of Petroleum Engineers reports that the median base pay in 2010 for petroleum engineers was $130,800 nearly 5 percent from preceding year 2009.
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