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Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer make in the United States?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $193,867
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,800 to $179,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $139,419

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Reservoir Engineer0-2 years$140,544
Intermediate Reservoir Engineer2-4 years$163,251
Senior Reservoir Engineer4-7 years$182,184
Specialist Reservoir Engineer7+ years$230,401
Expert Reservoir Engineer7-10 years$265,031

How Do Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate Reservoir Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $180,800.
  • California: $180,100.
  • Massachusetts: $177,700.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate Reservoir Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $206,000
  • San Francisco: $203,700
  • Oakland: $199,400

What Skills Can Increase an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • MATLAB (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): a programming platform designed specifically for engineers and scientists to analyze and design systems and products that transform our world.
  • Programming Language (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): Is any set of rules that converts strings, or graphical program elements in the case of visual programming languages, to various kinds of machine code output. It is a kind of computer language used in computer programming to implement algorithms.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 9.09%
MATLAB 9.09%
Programming Language 9.09%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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.

  • Reservoir Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Reservoir Engineering $182,896
12%
Communication Skills $179,630
10%
Presentation $169,832
4%

Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salary by Company Size

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

How Education impacts an Intermediate Reservoir Engineer's Salary?

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).

Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

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%

Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$150,800
Average $163,300/year
$179,300
$12,567
Average $13,608/month
$14,942
$2,900
Average $3,140/week
$3,448
$73
Average $79/hour
$86
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

Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Intermediate Reservoir Engineer Salary Growth and Career Path
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%

Most common benefits for Intermediate Reservoir Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Intermediate Reservoir Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Intermediate Reservoir Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Intermediate Reservoir Engineer

1. Can you make 300k a year as an engineer?

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.

2. How long does it take to be a Reservoir Engineer?

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.

3. Which engineering is best for a high salary?

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.

4. How much do reservoir engineers make in the US?

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.

5. What is the difference between a production engineer and a Reservoir Engineer?

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.

6. Which engineering field is highest paid in USA?

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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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