What are the main factors that influence a Drilling Engineer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change a Drilling Engineer's salary?

A Drilling Engineer's salary grows with experience: starting around $146,385 for beginners, reaching about $148,053 at mid-level, and approach $151,640 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Drilling Engineer?

Drilling Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Drilling Engineer roles are District of Columbia $167,435, California $166,800, Massachusetts $164,577. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Drilling Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Drilling Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Drilling Engineer V: $225,746; Senior Drilling Engineer: $194,425; Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer IV: $189,000; Drilling Engineer IV: $188,957; Drilling Engineer III: $169,608.

Drilling Engineer Salary in Delaware

How much does a Drilling Engineer make in Delaware?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Engineer in Delaware is $153,145 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $173,842
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $142,716 to $163,978
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $133,221

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Drilling Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$163,978	$13,665	$3,153	$79
Average	$153,145	$12,762	$2,945	$74
25th Percentile	$142,716	$11,893	$2,745	$69

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Drilling Engineer Salaries

A Drilling 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Drilling Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling 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-Level (less than 1 year): $146,385
Early Career (1-2 years): $147,219
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $148,053
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $149,220
Expert (over 8 years): $151,640

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Drilling Engineer	$146,385
Intermediate Level Drilling Engineer	$147,219
Senior Level Drilling Engineer	$148,053
Specialist Level Drilling Engineer	$149,220
Expert Level Drilling Engineer	$151,640

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Drilling 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 Drilling Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $167,435.
California: $166,800.
Massachusetts: $164,577.

District of Columbia $167,435 California $166,800 Massachusetts $164,577 Washington $163,972 New Jersey $163,912 Alaska $163,700 Connecticut $161,613 New York $160,766

Hawaii $158,059 Rhode Island $156,789 Maryland $155,927 Minnesota $154,748 Colorado $154,294 Illinois $154,143 Oregon $153,568 Delaware $153,145

New Hampshire $152,878 Virginia $152,283 Pennsylvania $150,543 Nevada $149,666 North Dakota $149,379 Michigan $148,925 Wisconsin $148,759 Vermont $148,426

Texas $147,504 Maine $147,443 Arizona $147,353 Ohio $147,247 Georgia $145,856 Indiana $145,160 Wyoming $145,024 Utah $144,812

Iowa $144,721 Kansas $143,995 Louisiana $143,784 North Carolina $143,708 Missouri $143,678 Florida $143,088 Montana $142,771 Nebraska $142,468

Kentucky $142,302 South Carolina $141,697 Tennessee $141,319 Idaho $141,168 New Mexico $140,064 Oklahoma $139,822 Alabama $138,929 South Dakota $137,432

Arkansas $136,616 West Virginia $136,177 Mississippi $134,862

Top Paying Cities for Drilling 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:

Lincoln: $158,498
Little Creek: $157,031
Magnolia: $157,681

Lincoln, DE $158,498 Little Creek, DE $157,031 Magnolia, DE $157,681 Milford, DE $158,498 Marydel, DE $156,441 Millsboro, DE $158,498 Millville, DE $159,556 Milton, DE $158,498

Nassau, DE $158,498 Ocean View, DE $159,556 Rehoboth Beach, DE $159,556 Seaford, DE $156,834 Selbyville, DE $159,556 Smyrna, DE $156,260 Viola, DE $157,681 Woodside, DE $157,228

Bear, DE $155,110 Newark, DE $155,171 Claymont, DE $155,292 Delaware City, DE $155,171 Hockessin, DE $155,292 Kirkwood, DE $155,171 Middletown, DE $155,942 Montchanin, DE $155,292

New Castle, DE $155,292 Odessa, DE $156,154 Port Penn, DE $154,748 Rockland, DE $155,292 Saint Georges, DE $155,171 Townsend, DE $155,927 Winterthur, DE $155,292 Lewes, DE $158,498

Wilmington, DE $155,292 Dover, DE $156,955 Dover Afb, DE $157,318 Bethany Beach, DE $159,556 Bethel, DE $156,834 Bridgeville, DE $158,498 Camden Wyoming, DE $157,122 Cheswold, DE $156,592

Clayton, DE $156,199 Dagsboro, DE $159,556 Delmar, DE $156,834 Ellendale, DE $158,498 Felton, DE $158,498 Fenwick Island, DE $159,556 Frankford, DE $159,556 Frederica, DE $158,498

Georgetown, DE $158,498 Greenwood, DE $158,498 Harbeson, DE $158,498 Harrington, DE $158,498 Hartly, DE $156,124 Houston, DE $158,498 Kenton, DE $156,199 Laurel, DE $156,834

Yorklyn, DE $155,292

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

Understanding how a Drilling 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 January 01, 2026

$142,716

Average $153,145/year

$163,978

$11,893

Average $12,762/month

$13,665

$2,745

Average $2,945/week

$3,153

$69

Average $74/hour

$79

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$163,978	$13,665	$3,153	$79
Average	$153,145	$12,762	$2,945	$74
25th Percentile	$142,716	$11,893	$2,745	$69

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