As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer in the United States is $163,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.
However, an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $179,300 | $14,942 | $3,448 | $86 |
| Average | $163,300 | $13,608 | $3,140 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,800 | $12,567 | $2,900 | $73 |
An Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Reservoir Engineer | 0-2 years | $140,544 |
| Intermediate Reservoir Engineer | 2-4 years | $163,251 |
| Senior Reservoir Engineer | 4-7 years | $182,184 |
| Specialist Reservoir Engineer | 7+ years | $230,401 |
| Expert Reservoir Engineer | 7-10 years | $265,031 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Communication Skills | 9.09% |
| MATLAB | 9.09% |
| Programming Language | 9.09% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Reservoir Engineering | $182,896 | |
| Communication Skills | $179,630 | |
| Presentation | $169,832 |
Intermediate Reservoir Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $189,732. While startup companies pay approximate $160,701.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $160,701 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $169,891 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $183,291 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $189,732 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Reservoir Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $137,933 and $143,227).
| Typical Education for Intermediate Reservoir Engineer | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 46.2% |
| High School | 46.2% |
| Associates | 7.7% |
| Bachelors | 46.2% |
| Masters | 46.2% |
| Doctorate | 7.7% |
Understanding how an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $179,300 | $14,942 | $3,448 | $86 |
| Average | $163,300 | $13,608 | $3,140 | $79 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,800 | $12,567 | $2,900 | $73 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer III | $170,000 | 4% |
| Senior Reservoir Engineer | $182,200 | 12% |
| Mine Planning Engineer III | $104,500 | -36% |
Salaries for an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $106,906 in 2023 to around $101,458 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Reservoir Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $106,906 |
| 2024 | $103,425 |
| 2025 | $101,458 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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As an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer, the salary typically ranges from $134,200 to $154,500. While it's possible to earn higher salaries in specialized roles or with significant experience, reaching $300,000 annually would generally require advanced degrees and extensive expertise in the field.
To become a reservoir engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in geology, engineering, petroleum engineering, or a related field, along with at least two years of experience in the oil and gas industry, ideally with hands-on training in reservoir engineering. Salaries for intermediate reservoir engineers range from $134,200 to $154,500, with a median salary of $143,500.
For a high salary in engineering, consider specializing as an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer. The salary range for this role is between $134,200 and $154,500, with a midpoint of $143,500. This position offers competitive compensation compared to other engineering fields, making it a strong choice for those seeking lucrative opportunities.
Reservoir Engineers in the US typically earn between $134,200 and $154,500 annually, with a median salary around $143,500. These figures reflect the salary range for Intermediate Reservoir Engineers, providing a clearer picture of compensation in this field.
While production engineers focus on individual wells or groups of wells, Reservoir Engineers aim to optimize the production of the entire reservoir. They collaborate with geologists, drilling engineers, and production engineers to ensure the reservoir system operates efficiently. The salary for an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer ranges from $134,200 to $154,500, with a midpoint of $143,500.
Among engineering fields, Intermediate Reservoir Engineers are notably well-compensated, with salaries ranging from $134,200 to $154,500, and a median salary of $143,500. This positions them competitively within the highest-paying engineering careers in the USA, surpassing many other specializations.
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