Petroleum engineers devise methods for extracting gas and oil from the Earth’s surface. These individuals must be meticulous and enjoy math and science. A petroleum engineer’s salary is influenced his or her level of education as well as whether or not he or she is certified. Furthermore, an employee’s pay is influenced the amount of work experience he or she has as well as the type of environment in which he or she works.
The amount of education a petroleum engineer has received is one factor that influences his or her salary. The majority of entry-level industry positions require four-year bachelor’s degree programs. People who complete two-year master’s degree programs in this field, however, are qualified to work in research or as university professors. They can demand higher wages because they have a deeper understanding of this complex field, allowing them to contribute more to the industry.
The type of income a person in this line of work earns is also influenced certification. Although passing an exam to obtain an industry credential is optional, it does allow a person to pursue a managerial or senior technical position, which pays a higher salary for a petroleum engineer. Being certified shows employers that an individual is knowledgeable about industry standards and capable of completing complex projects, allowing businesses to succeed in the marketplace.
The number of years of experience a person has in this field has an impact on his or her pay. Someone who has worked in the field for more than two decades has the potential to earn more than four times as much as someone who has only worked for a year. Because a more experienced individual can complete more complex tasks and contribute more to a company’s profitability, a company is often willing to compensate him or her with a higher petroleum engineer salary.
The type of location in which a professional in this field works has an impact on the amount of money he or she earns. An engineering firm in a large city, for example, is likely to have more clients and generate more revenue. It can therefore offer more income to a laborer than a business in a rural area can. A petroleum engineer salary tends to be smaller in a non-metropolitan area because an organization in a rural region tends to have fewer customers and makes less money.