As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Entry Level Petroleum Engineer in Chicago, IL is $109,568, equivalent to $53 per hour, $2,107 weekly, or $9,131 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Entry Level Petroleum Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Entry Level Petroleum Engineer in Chicago, IL vary widely, spanning from $87,481 to $124,712. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($98,007) and 75th percentile ($117,495), while top earners (90th percentile) make $124,712 per year. This $19,488 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or FOCUS, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Chicago Entry Level Petroleum Engineer often earn 1.4% higher than national averages. However, Chicago currently ranks 264 statewide for Entry Level Petroleum Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.