| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Assist engineering and other personnel to solve operating problems. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Write technical reports for engineering and management personnel. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Specify and supervise well modification and stimulation programs to maximize oil and gas recovery. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Assess costs and estimate the production capabilities and economic value of oil and gas wells, to evaluate the economic viability of potential drilling sites. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Monitor production rates, and plan rework processes to improve production. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Evaluate findings to develop, design, or test equipment or processes. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Confer with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve design, research, and testing problems. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Direct and monitor the completion and evaluation of wells, well testing, or well surveys. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Maintain records of drilling and production operations. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Coordinate activities of workers engaged in research, planning, and development. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Interpret drilling and testing information for personnel. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Analyze data to recommend placement of wells and supplementary processes to enhance production. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Develop plans for oil and gas field drilling, and for product recovery and treatment. |
Bachelor Degree Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Bachelor's Degree.
A bachelor's degree qualifies graduates for a wide range of professional, technical, and management-track careers across nearly every industry. For people who want to compare where a four-year degree can lead before choosing a major or job. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Bachelor's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 255 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Petroleum Engineers.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Petroleum Engineers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Petroleum Engineers
Description: 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.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Petroleum Engineers":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
28,500U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
30,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
2,200 (7.6%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
2,100
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Simulate reservoir performance for different recovery techniques, using computer models. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Conduct engineering research experiments to improve or modify mining and oil machinery and operations. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Design and implement environmental controls on oil and gas operations. |
| Importance: 55 (%) | Description: Assign work to staff to obtain maximum utilization of personnel. |
| Importance: 53 (%) | Description: Coordinate the installation, maintenance, and operation of mining and oil field equipment. |
| Importance: 48 (%) | Description: Take samples to assess the amount and quality of oil, the depth at which resources lie, and the equipment needed to properly extract them. |
| Importance: 43 (%) | Description: Design or modify mining and oil field machinery and tools, applying engineering principles. |
| Importance: 43 (%) | Description: Supervise the removal of drilling equipment, the removal of any waste, and the safe return of land to structural stability when wells or pockets are exhausted. |
| Importance: 36 (%) | Description: Test machinery and equipment to ensure that it is safe and conforms to performance specifications. |
| Importance: 33 (%) | Description: Inspect oil and gas wells to determine that installations are completed. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 84 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects. | |
| Analyze physical, survey, or geographic data. | |
| Collect samples of raw materials or finished products. | |
| Confer with other personnel to resolve design or operational problems. | |
| Create models of engineering designs or methods. | |
| Design environmental control systems. | |
| Design industrial equipment. | |
| Determine operational methods. | |
| Develop technical methods or processes. | |
| Direct design or development activities. | |
| Direct energy production or management activities. | |
| Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities. | |
| Direct installation activities. | |
| Direct quality control activities. | |
| Explain engineering drawings, specifications, or other technical information. | |
| Inspect equipment or systems. | |
| Interpret design or operational test results. | |
| Maintain operational records or records systems. | |
| Monitor the productivity or efficiency of industrial operations. | |
| Prepare detailed work plans. | |
| Prepare technical reports for internal use. | |
| Research advanced engineering designs or applications. | |
| Resolve operational performance problems. | |
| Supervise engineering or other technical personnel. | |
| Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Analyze environmental or geospatial data. |
| Activity: Analyze performance of systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Collect samples of products or materials. |
| Activity: Coordinate with others to resolve problems. |
| Activity: Design industrial systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Determine operational methods or procedures. |
| Activity: Develop models of systems, processes, or products. |
| Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards. |
| Activity: Develop systems or practices to mitigate or resolve environmental problems. |
| Activity: Direct construction or extraction activities. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities. |
| Activity: Evaluate designs, specifications, or other technical data. |
| Activity: Explain technical details of products or services. |
| Activity: Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Manage control systems or activities. |
| Activity: Monitor operations to ensure adequate performance. |
| Activity: Plan work activities. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Research technology designs or applications. |
| Activity: Resolve personnel or operational problems. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
| Activity: Test performance of equipment or systems. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||||||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD | |||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | |||||||||||
| Google Analytics SAS The MathWorks MATLAB | |||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Access Oracle Database | |||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||
| Eclipse IDE Microsoft Visual Studio | |||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | |||||||||||
| SAP software | |||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||
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| Operating system software: | |||||||||||
| Linux | |||||||||||
| Process mapping and design software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Visio | |||||||||||
| Project management software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Project | |||||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Business intelligence and data analysis software: | |||||||||||
| TIBCO Spotfire | |||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||||||||
| Dassault Systemes CATIA | |||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||
| Landmark Graphics TOW/cs Structure query language SQL | |||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||
| Software development tools | |||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||||
| IBM Notes | |||||||||||
| Financial analysis software: | |||||||||||
| DFA Capital Management GEMS GeoGraphix ARIES Portfolio IHS QUE$TOR | |||||||||||
| Internet browser software: | |||||||||||
| Web browser software | |||||||||||
| Project management software: | |||||||||||
| Oracle Primavera Systems |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
| A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
| Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 71.6 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 15.4 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 7.6 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.4 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 21.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 18.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 16.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 15.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Certified Petroleum Craftsman - Level 4
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Certified Petroleum Journeyman - Level 2
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Certified Petroleum Journeyman - Level 3
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Certified Petroleum Professional - Level 5
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Machinery Lubrication Engineer
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Petroleum Engineering Certification
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Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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American Petroleum Institute
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Society of Petroleum Engineers
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Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE)
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Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Petroleum Engineers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Petroleum Engineers
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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