Petroleum Engineer Salary in Midland, TX
Petroleum Engineers in the Midland, TX metro area earn a median $172,070 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $128,876 take-home, or $10,740 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median petroleum engineer salary in Midland, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$30,031
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,668
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,495
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$128,876
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Petroleum Engineer pay by experience in Midland, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,620 | $43.57 | $72,581 | $6,048 |
| 25th percentile | $130,300 | $62.64 | $100,326 | $8,361 |
| Median (50th) | $172,070 | $82.73 | $128,876 | $10,740 |
| 75th percentile | $227,880 | $109.56 | $168,660 | $14,055 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $298,530+ | $143.52 | $214,256 | $17,855 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $172,070 buys in Midland, TX
Prices in Midland, TX are 4.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.01× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median petroleum engineer's $128,876 take-home pay has the buying power of $134,550 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Midland, TX has 66.4× the national concentration of petroleum engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for petroleum engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Midland, TX ranks #2 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City, OK | $176,200 | $124,315 | $137,505 |
| 2 | Midland, TX | $172,070 | $128,876 | $134,550 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $169,870 | $127,372 | $129,143 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $168,600 | $126,504 | $122,712 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $174,580 | $123,618 | $116,861 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
Petroleum Engineer salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Houston, TX — $169,870
- Dallas, TX — $168,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a petroleum engineer make in Midland, TX?
The median petroleum engineer salary in the Midland, TX metro area is $172,070 a year, or about $82.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $130,300 and $227,880.
What is a petroleum engineer’s take-home pay in Midland, TX?
On the median $172,070 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $128,876 a year ($10,740 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Midland, TX a good place to work as a petroleum engineer?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $144,910. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $134,550 would in a typical U.S. city. Midland, TX ranks #2 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a petroleum engineer afford rent in Midland, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Midland, TX is $1,449 a month ($1,780 for two bedrooms) — 13% of a median petroleum engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.