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Energy

Petroleum Engineer

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

Annual openings

63

Median wage

$172,190

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Growth 2026–2032

-1%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

Credential requirement

A Professional Engineer license is highly valued in the Energy industry.

Work experience

This can be an entry-level role so no experience is required.

Petroleum Engineers can focus on improving the flow of one well or maximizing production on an entire reservoir of oil/gas that consists of many different wells.
Working as an Engineer is a good preparatory role for becoming a Project Manager, after adding skills to be responsible for the full life-cycle of a project that involves many different teams.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerYes
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsNo

Interests it draws on

  • Engineering and Science
  • Engineering

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
  2. Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
  3. Maintain records of drilling and production operations.
  4. Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
  5. Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
  6. Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
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