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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Petroleum Engineers

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Engineering and Technology pathway.

Job zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 17-2171.00

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.

On a typical day

  • 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.

What it pays

$120,460
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $78,470
Experienced workers reach $200,380
  1. $78k10th
  2. $87k25th
  3. $120kMedian
  4. $158k75th
  5. $200k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $78,470, 25th $87,320, Median $120,460, 75th $158,290, 90th $200,380

About 240 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+17.1%

employment change in the Alamo region, 258 to 302 jobs · U.S. +1%

21

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 1,200

258

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 19,600

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills 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.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.8
  2. Critical Thinking4.4
  3. Writing4.3
  4. Complex Problem Solving4.1
  5. Active Listening4.0
  6. Speaking4.0
  7. Judgment and Decision Making3.9
  8. Systems Analysis3.9

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.

  1. High school or less8%
  2. Bachelor's degree72%
  3. Master's degree21%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

No Alamo program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.

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