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Drilling Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Drilling Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Engineer IV in the United States is $189,212 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $91.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $199,737
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $171,387 to $194,721
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $155,158

Key Factors That Influence Drilling Engineer IV Salaries

A Drilling Engineer IV'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 Drilling Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling Engineer IV'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 II (2-4 years): $137,181
  • Drilling Engineer III (4-7 years): $169,999
  • Drilling Engineer IV (7+ years): $189,212
  • Drilling Engineer V (7-10 years): $225,956
  • Drilling Engineering Manager (10+ years): $181,702
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Drilling Engineer II2-4 years$137,181
Drilling Engineer III4-7 years$169,999
Drilling Engineer IV7+ years$189,212
Drilling Engineer V7-10 years$225,956
Drilling Engineering Manager10+ years$181,702

Top Paying Cities for Drilling Engineer IVs

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: $238,653
  • San Francisco: $236,040
  • Oakland: $231,066

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 10.53% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Client Relationship (Mentioned in 5.26% Job Postings): Client relationship managemen is focused on building relationships with clients to ensure that their needs are met, they are satisfied with the services and/or products provided by the company.
  • Decision Support (Mentioned in 5.26% Job Postings): A computerized system that gathers and analyzes data, synthesizing it to produce comprehensive information reports.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 10.53%
Client Relationship 5.26%
Decision Support 5.26%

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 IV's salary.

  • Client Relationship: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Client Relationship $230,839
22%
Business Development $230,839
22%
Analysis $202,457
7%

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

Drilling Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $219,838. While startup companies pay approximate $186,200.

Drilling Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $186,200
Growth Stage 51~500 $196,849
Established 501~5000 $212,375
Enterprise 5000+ $219,838

How Education impacts a Drilling Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Drilling Engineer IV enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Drilling Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $181,917 and $192,846.

Drilling Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Drilling Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 62.5%
High School 25.0%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 62.5%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 12.5%

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

Understanding how a Drilling Engineer IV'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
$171,387
Average $189,212/year
$194,721
$14,282
Average $15,768/month
$16,227
$3,296
Average $3,639/week
$3,745
$82
Average $91/hour
$94
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $194,721 $16,227 $3,745 $94
Average $189,212 $15,768 $3,639 $91
25th Percentile $171,387 $14,282 $3,296 $82

Drilling Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Drilling Engineer IV, 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 IV Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Drilling Engineer V $225,956 19%
Reservoir Engineer V $265,031 40%

Most common benefits for Drilling Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Drilling Engineer IV

Here are companies hiring for Drilling Engineer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Drilling Engineer IV

1. Where can a Drilling Engineer IV earn the most?

A Drilling Engineer IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Drilling Engineer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Drilling Engineer IV is $238,653.

2. What is the highest pay for Drilling Engineer IV?

The highest pay for Drilling Engineer IV is $199,737.

3. What is the lowest pay for Drilling Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for Drilling Engineer IV is $155,158.

4. What are the responsibilities of Drilling Engineer IV?

Designs, plans, and oversees drilling operations of oil and gas wells. Performs design evaluations and makes recommendations to improve safety, lower cost, and increase efficiency. Analyzes data to identify trends, assess performance, and make adjustments to improve future drilling operations. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

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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