Petroleum engineers plan and supervise the drilling of new oil wells. They also supervise well operation and maintenance.
| Quick Facts: Petroleum Engineers | |
|---|---|
| Wages | Earn $138,638 per year |
| Employment | Very small occupation |
| 10 Year Growth | More slowly than average |
| Annual Openings | Very few |
Preparation
A petroleum engineer typically needs to:
- have a high school diploma or equivalent
- have a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering
- have a license
Working Conditions
In a typical work setting, petroleum engineers:
- Have a medium level of social contact. They talk to coworkers, but also spend time alone analyzing information.
- Almost always work indoors in labs and offices. May on occasion work outdoors at drilling sites and in oil fields.
- Must be very exact in their work. Errors could cause teams to drill where oil is not located. This would cost the company a lot of money.
- Generally have a set schedule each week. Most work more than 40 hours a week.
Wages
In Illinois, petroleum engineers earn a median wage of $138,638 per year.
| $0 | $50 | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Illinois |
$ amounts are in thousands of dollars.
Employment and Outlook
In Illinois, 196 petroleum engineers work in this very small occupation.
| Location | Employment | 10 Year Growth | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 196 Very small | 5.6% Slow | 14 Very few |