How much does a Drilling Engineer make in the United States?
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The average Drilling Engineer salary in the United States is $299,464 as of July 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Drilling Engineer positions (listed below) typically falls between $111,266 and $487,663. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Drilling Engineer's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Drilling Engineer I | $123,065 | $59.17 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Engineer II | $144,989 | $69.71 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Engineer III | $169,445 | $81.46 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Engineer IV | $214,303 | $103.03 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Engineer V | $263,580 | $126.72 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Operations Supervisor | $148,570 | $71.43 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Operations Manager | $237,186 | $114.03 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Operations Director | $280,415 | $134.81 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| SVP of Drilling Operations | $445,963 | $214.41 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
| Drilling Engineering Manager | $231,969 | $111.52 | United States | July 01, 2026 |
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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. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Drilling Engineer I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer I, Oil & Gas Engineer I, Drilling Engineer I
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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. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Drilling Engineer II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer II, Oil & Gas Engineer II, Drilling Engineer II
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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. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Drilling Engineer III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer III, Oil & Gas Engineer III, Drilling Engineer III
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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. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Drilling Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer IV, Oil & Gas Engineer IV, Drilling Engineer IV
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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. View Drilling Engineer V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oil & Gas Drilling Engineer V, Oil & Gas Engineer V, Drilling Engineer V
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Supervises daily drilling operations for an organization. Oversees a drilling crew, and monitors drilling activities to ensure operations run smoothly and efficiently. Responsible for ensuring proper use and maintenance of equipment. Recommends revisions or enhancements to solve drilling problems. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision. View Drilling Operations Supervisor SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Drilling Foreman, Drilling Operations Supervisor
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Manages the daily drilling operations for an organization. Oversees and monitors the planning and execution of drilling projects. Maintains adherence to project plans, budgets, and timelines. Ensures compliance with safety and industry standards. Analyzes data, identifies areas for improvement, and implements measures to enhance drilling performance. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Drilling Operations Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Drilling Operations Superintendent, Drilling Operations Manager
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Directs the daily drilling operations for an organization. Oversees and monitors all aspects of planning and executing drilling projects. Monitors adherence to project plans, budgets, and timelines. Ensures that all drilling operations are conducted in a safe and responsible manner and are compliant with industry standards and regulations. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Drilling Operations Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Drilling and Production Director, Drilling Operations Director
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Plans and leads all drilling operations within an organization. Provides leadership and oversight to the overall planning and execution of drilling projects. Develops objectives and standards to optimize efficiency while maintaining compliance with industry standards and regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Manages a business unit, division, or corporate function with major organizational impact. Establishes/implements overall direction and strategic initiatives for the given major function or line of business. Typically requires 10+ years of progressive leadership experience. Has extensive knowledge of the overall departmental function. View SVP of Drilling Operations SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Drilling Operations Executive, Senior Vice President of Drilling Operations, SVP of Drilling Operations
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Manages a team of drilling engineers. Monitors and oversees the design and implementation of oil and gas wells. Reviews project plans and provides technical assistance and recommendations as needed. 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 director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Drilling Engineering Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Oil & Gas Drilling Engineering Manager, Oil & Gas Engineering Manager, Drilling Engineering Manager