There are currently an estimated 33,700 petroleum engineers in the United States. The petroleum engineer job market is expected to grow by 15.1% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are petroleum engineers?
CareerExplorer rates petroleum engineers with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 9,700 petroleum engineers. That number is based on 5,100 additional petroleum engineers, and the retirement of 4,600 existing petroleum engineers.
What’s the supply of petroleum engineers?
The petroleum engineer industry is concentrated in Texas, Oklahoma, California
Petroleum Engineer job market by state
| State Name | Employed Petroleum Engineers |
|---|---|
| Texas | 17,840 |
| Oklahoma | 2,380 |
| California | 2,240 |
| Louisiana | 1,510 |
| Colorado | 1,410 |
| Pennsylvania | 930 |
| Alaska | 820 |
| West Virginia | 390 |
| Wyoming | 380 |
| Ohio | 310 |
| New Mexico | 300 |
| Illinois | 280 |
| Montana | 220 |
| Virginia | 220 |
| New Jersey | 190 |
| Utah | 190 |
| Kansas | 180 |
| North Dakota | 140 |
| Alabama | 130 |
| Michigan | 120 |
| Arizona | 110 |
| Arkansas | 100 |
| Georgia | 80 |
| Tennessee | 40 |
| Missouri | 40 |