Petroleum Engineers
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics · Engineering and Technology
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $78,470; experienced workers reach $200,380. About 240 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +17.1%
- Openings a year
- 21
- Employed in 2024
- 258
Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.
Browse all programsSkills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Reading Comprehension4.8
- Critical Thinking4.4
- Writing4.3
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Systems Analysis3.9
What the work is
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.
- Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites.
- Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production.
- Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production.
- Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery.
- Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys.
- Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less8%
- Bachelor's degree72%
- Master's degree21%
Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.
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