Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineers design methods of extracting natural gases and oil from deposits deep within the earth. When a resource is found, these engineers work with geologists to determine the geography and characteristics of where they are to drill and the methods to be used when drilling. They supervise and monitor, drilling and production. Petroleum engineers develop equipment and methods to make the recovery of oil more efficient and profitable.

The starting annual salary for an engineer entering this discipline with a Bachelor's Degree is $83,121, the highest of all disciplines.

The average annual salary for a petroleum engineer is $119,960.

As of 2008, approximately 21,900 people were petroleum engineers. This is one of the lower-middle disciplines in number of engineers. (Smallest discipline- 2,700; largest discipline- 278,400)

Petroleum engineers are expected to have an employment growth of 18% from 2008-2018. The number of jobs opening will likely exceed the number of people entering petroleum engineering, creating excellent opportunities for them. Petroleum engineers work around the world.

The top petroleum engineering schools are A&M University, University of Texas- Austin, and Stanford University.

Resources:

http://www.infozee.com/channels/ms/usa/petroleum-engineering-rankings.htm

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics