What Can You Do with a Petroleum Engineering Degree?

When it comes to ensuring the planet has an ample supply of gas and oil, petroleum engineers are leading the way in collecting these substances in a controlled, environmentally sustainable manner. As the world has an unwavering demand for energy, petroleum engineers are in demand and earning generous wages.

However, don’t feel a petroleum engineering degree is limited to just one career path. When armed with this qualification, you can enter a wide range of fields. The below guide will show what petroleum engineering careers are available.

Is gaining a petroleum engineering major the right choice?

Aside from lucrative salaries and secure job positions, there are various reasons to earn a degree in petroleum engineering. This is particularly the case if you have an interest in science and engineering, and can combine this with strong analytical, problem-solving and math skills.

The program will educate you in an assortment of different subjects. Aside from the likes of geology, physics, and chemistry, the degree will teach you about safety, ethics, communications, and more.

What can I do with a petroleum engineering degree?

When you think about jobs with a petroleum engineering degree, you might initially feel a limited number of options are on offer. However, graduates can find rewarding positions in a wide range of industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, and consultancy.

Below is a quick look at the type of career routes you can take.

Petroleum engineer

It’s no surprise that, if you were to earn this degree, you would be in line for a petroleum engineer job. The role generally involves designing and developing methods to extract gas and oil that lie beneath the Earth’s surface.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median annual petroleum engineer salary in 2019 was $137,720.

Architectural and engineering managers

When it comes to companies in the architectural and engineering sector, they require managers which deal with the planning, directing, and coordinating activities. Their tasks include producing detailed plans for the development of new designs and products, and hiring and supervising staff members.

In 2019, the median annual salary for architectural and engineering managers was $144,830, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


The work of a geoscientist revolves around studying the Earth and its physical aspects. This research covers the Earth’s structure, composition, and processes.

Based on an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average geoscientist received an annual salary of $92,040 in 2019.

How do you choose the right college?

Picking a college is a life-changing moment, so it cannot be underestimated. While the bulk of your research will be focused on colleges which deliver a high-quality petroleum engineering program, there are other points to consider.

One of the biggest is campus life. If your campus is an uninviting place, with a lack of facilities and worn down dorms, this can affect your studying. There’s just one question: How do you learn about these campus details?

Answer: CampusReel.

With CampusReel by your side, you have the ultimate resource to learn every little detail about the campuses’ of your potential colleges. The platform is home to 15,000+ videos, all created by students, that are easy to digest. Best of all, you can sign up today for a free CampusReel account.