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Drilling Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Engineer V in the United States is $225,956 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $109.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $237,608
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $220,330 to $232,055
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $215,208
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Drilling Engineer V Salaries

A Drilling Engineer V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling Engineer V'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
View as Graph

How Do Drilling Engineer V 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 Drilling Engineer Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $250,178.
  • California: $249,229.
  • Massachusetts: $245,908.

Top Paying Cities for Drilling Engineer Vs

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: $284,998
  • San Francisco: $281,878
  • Oakland: $275,937

What Skills Can Increase a Drilling Engineer V'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%
See More Skills

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 V's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $259,849
15%
Get Latest Data

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

Drilling Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $262,529. While startup companies pay approximate $222,360.

Drilling Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $222,360
Growth Stage 51~500 $235,076
Established 501~5000 $253,617
Enterprise 5000+ $262,529

How Education impacts a Drilling Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Drilling Engineer V 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 V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $211,687 and $226,910.

Drilling Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Drilling Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.3%
High School 5.3%
Associates 47.4%
Bachelors 47.4%
Masters 47.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Drilling Engineer V'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
$220,330
Average $225,956/year
$232,055
$18,361
Average $18,830/month
$19,338
$4,237
Average $4,345/week
$4,463
$106
Average $109/hour
$112
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $232,055 $19,338 $4,463 $112
Average $225,956 $18,830 $4,345 $109
25th Percentile $220,330 $18,361 $4,237 $106

Drilling Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Drilling Engineer V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Drilling Engineer V, 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
Drilling Engineering Manager $181,702 -20%
Reservoir Engineer VI $292,994 30%

Most common benefits for Drilling Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Drilling Engineer V

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

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Drilling Engineer V job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Drilling Engineer V

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

A Drilling Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Drilling Engineer V is $284,998.

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

The highest pay for Drilling Engineer V is $237,608.

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

The lowest pay for Drilling Engineer V is $215,208.

4. What are the responsibilities of Drilling Engineer V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ 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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