upper level job

How much does a Drilling Engineer I make in Riverside, MO?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Engineer I in Riverside, MO is $113,584 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, a Drilling Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $129,267
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $101,599 to $121,793
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,687

Key Factors That Influence Drilling Engineer I Salaries

A Drilling Engineer I'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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drilling Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling Engineer I'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:

  • Drilling Engineer I (0-2 years): $113,584
  • Drilling Engineer II (2-4 years): $133,651
  • Drilling Engineer III (4-7 years): $165,622
  • Drilling Engineer IV (7+ years): $184,363
  • Drilling Engineer V (7-10 years): $220,177
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Drilling Engineer I0-2 years$113,584
Drilling Engineer II2-4 years$133,651
Drilling Engineer III4-7 years$165,622
Drilling Engineer IV7+ years$184,363
Drilling Engineer V7-10 years$220,177

Top Paying Cities for Drilling Engineer I

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: $147,006
  • San Francisco: $145,396
  • Oakland: $142,332

What Skills Can Increase a Drilling Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.7% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • FOCUS (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): Focus is the thinking skill that allows people to begin a task without procrastination and then maintain their attention and effort until the task is complete.
  • Safety Management (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): Applying safety principles, framework, processes, and measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse consequences.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.7%
FOCUS 2.61%
Safety Management 2.61%

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 a Drilling Engineer I's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Continuous Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $148,795
31%
Customer Satisfaction $137,436
21%
Continuous Learning $134,029
18%

Drilling Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Drilling Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $132,345. While startup companies pay approximate $112,080.

Drilling Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $112,080
Growth Stage 51~500 $118,503
Established 501~5000 $127,851
Enterprise 5000+ $132,345

Drilling Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Drilling Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Finance & Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Drilling Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Drilling Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Drilling Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$151,516$73.030%
Finance & Insurance$145,689$70.025%
Information Technology$139,861$67.020%
Mining$134,034$64.015%
Professional Services$122,379$59.05%

Drilling Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Drilling Engineer I'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 August 01, 2026
$101,599
Average $113,584/year
$121,793
$8,467
Average $9,465/month
$10,149
$1,954
Average $2,184/week
$2,342
$49
Average $55/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,793 $10,149 $2,342 $59
Average $113,584 $9,465 $2,184 $55
25th Percentile $101,599 $8,467 $1,954 $49

Drilling Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Drilling Engineer I, 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.

Drilling Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Engineer II $133,651 18%
Reservoir Engineer II $159,032 40%
Mine Engineer II $92,182 -19%

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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