As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Drilling Optimization Engineer in the United States is $109,475 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.
However, a Drilling Optimization Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Drilling Optimization 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Drilling Optimization 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Drilling Optimization Engineer | $105,966 |
| Intermediate Level Drilling Optimization Engineer | $106,668 |
| Senior Level Drilling Optimization Engineer | $108,072 |
| Specialist Level Drilling Optimization Engineer | $112,985 |
| Expert Level Drilling Optimization Engineer | $115,512 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Optimization Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 3.72% |
| Python | 3.23% |
| Software Development | 2.38% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Adobe
|
$132,465 |
21%
|
|
Docker
|
$131,370 |
20%
|
|
Microservices
|
$128,086 |
17%
|
|
Dedication
|
$123,707 |
13%
|
|
AWS
|
$123,707 |
13%
|
|
Spring
|
$123,707 |
13%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Drilling Optimization Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 a Drilling Optimization Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $103,414 and $109,599).
Drilling Optimization Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.0% |
| High School | 6.0% |
| Associates | 9.2% |
| Bachelors | 61.0% |
| Masters | 21.6% |
| Doctorate | 2.1% |
Understanding how a Drilling Optimization 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, 2026Salaries for a Drilling Optimization Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $104,693 in 2023 to around $101,809 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Drilling Optimization Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $104,693 |
| 2024 | $103,289 |
| 2025 | $101,809 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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