Where the petroleum engineer salary sits against the Australian full-time average
If you are looking for a single, official figure for a petroleum engineer salary in Australia, the short answer is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish one. The occupation is too narrow for the standard survey releases. Jobs and Skills Australia, which draws on ABS data, also lists median weekly earnings as N/A for Petroleum Engineers (ANZSCO 233612). That does not mean the role is low-paid – quite the opposite. By looking at the industry and related data, we can place this career well above the national full-time average.
The national benchmark
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 gives the national full-time adult ordinary-time average as $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This is the line on this site. For context, the full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, August 2025) is about $1,887 per week ($98,124 per year), and the all-employees median is about $1,436 per week ($74,672 per year). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
The Mining industry – the home of petroleum engineers
Petroleum engineers are classified under the Mining industry. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) shows that Mining has the highest average hourly total cash earnings of any industry: $74.10 per hour for non-managerial employees. Average weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees in Mining are $2,130.60. That is already above the national full-time average of $2,083.70. And because many petroleum engineers work longer hours – Jobs and Skills Australia reports an average of 45 hours per week for full-time petroleum engineers – actual weekly pay is likely higher still.
State averages and location
Where you work matters. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 show state full-time adult ordinary-time averages ranging from $96,008 per year in Tasmania to $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory. Western Australia, a major hub for oil and gas, has a full-time average of $115,825 per year. Queensland, another key state, averages $106,064 per year. Petroleum engineers in these states can expect to earn a premium over the national average, consistent with the high Mining industry earnings.
How the figures are set
Most petroleum engineers have their pay set by individual arrangement (the most common method across all occupations, at 38.5% of employees). Collective agreements cover about 34.6% of employees nationally. Award coverage is less common in professional roles. The ABS notes that for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, the median weekly earnings for the broader occupation group of Mining Engineers (which includes petroleum engineers) is not separately published due to high sampling error. This is why we rely on industry-level data.
What about the gender pay gap?
The ABS reports that women working full-time in Mining earn less than men on average, but the occupation itself has a low female share – just 18% of petroleum engineers are women (Jobs and Skills Australia). The national full-time average for women is $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 per year), compared to $2,181.50 per week ($113,438 per year) for men. In Mining, the gap may be wider, but individual salaries vary greatly.
Putting it on the line
If you want to place a salary on the line and see how it compares, the site uses the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week. For a petroleum engineer, a reasonable estimate based on Mining industry averages would be well above that line. You can also explore industry medians to see how Mining compares to other sectors, or read how the figures are set to understand the methodology behind the averages.
The bottom line
While no precise petroleum engineer salary is published by the ABS, all available evidence points to this occupation paying significantly above the national full-time average. The Mining industry average weekly earnings of $2,130.60 (full-time non-managerial) and hourly rate of $74.10 are strong indicators. If you are negotiating a salary or evaluating an offer, use the industry data as a benchmark and remember that experience, location, and hours will push pay higher or lower. For the most current individual figures, consult industry surveys or speak with recruiters specialising in oil and gas.