by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 22 U.S. colleges awarded 254 degrees and certificates in Petroleum Technology/Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 43% of graduates. College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Petroleum Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $57,450 one year after completing, rising to $87,741 after four years.
A degree in Petroleum Technology/Technician covers Petroleum Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In The Development And Operation Of Oil And Natural Gas Extraction And Processing Facilities. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Petroleum Extraction And Related Geology, Petroleum Field Mapping And Site Analysis, Testing And Sampling Methods, Instrument Calibration, Laboratory Analysis, Test Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Environment And Safety Monitoring Procedures For Oil/gas Fields And Facilities, Facility Inspection Procedures, And Report Preparation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., petroleum technology/technician draws strong interest, with 254 degrees awarded annually. 22 colleges award petroleum technology/technician degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 40.
By level, the 254 awards include 45 certificates, 109 associate degrees, 2 bachelor’s degrees and 59 master’s degrees.
Women earned 8% of petroleum technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (21 of 254). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (181) and Hispanic or Latino (30), and international students earned 4.
College Factual ranks 7 schools in its 2027 Best Petroleum Technology/Technician Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees. It also ranks petroleum technology/technician schools within 2 states. In all, 22 colleges offer petroleum technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Petroleum Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common petroleum technology/technician credential is the associate degree: 109 of the 254 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to petroleum technology/technician call most for Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control and Monitoring, and for knowledge of Public Safety and Security, Mechanical and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Perceptual Speed, Near Vision and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a petroleum technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 45 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 109 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 59 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to petroleum technology/technician, at 58.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 58.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 31.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Petroleum Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $88,636; the strongest outlook belongs to Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians, at 9.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Operator, Gas System Operator, High Pressure Operator and Pressure Dispatcher.
The occupation related to petroleum technology/technician with the most projected jobs is Gas Plant Operators, at 418,964.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Plant Operators | 418,964 | 2.4% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | 56,828 | 9.9% |
Petroleum Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $57,450 one year after completing their program, $87,741 after four years and $65,897 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $57,450 |
| 4 years | $87,741 |
| 5 years | $65,897 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to petroleum technology/technician, with a median salary of $119,992.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $119,992 |
| Gas Plant Operators | $57,281 |
Petroleum Technology/Technician has 1 similar major in the Engineering Technologies field; the largest is Mining Technology/Technician (61). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mining Technology/Technician | 61 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
