Nominal salary tells you how much money you receive. Cost-of-living-adjusted salary tells you how much that money can actually buy. A $200,000 salary in San Francisco and a $140,000 salary in Austin can provide nearly identical purchasing power. Tax differences are not included.
Where Should I Live?
Nominal vs COL-Adjusted Salary
| # | Location | Median (Nominal) | COL Index | Adjusted | COL Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DALLAS, TX | $147,600 | 92.7 | $159,223 | #1 |
| 2 | Anchorage, AK | $129,197 | 125.0 | $103,358 | #7 (-5) |
| 3 | The Woodlands, TX | $125,000 | 92.7 | $134,844 | #3 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $123,500 | 92.7 | $133,225 | #4 |
| 5 | Bakersfield, CA | $121,950 | 138.5 | $88,051 | #9 (-4) |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $120,000 | 105.5 | $113,744 | #6 |
| 7 | Oklahoma City, OK | $119,704 | 86.2 | $138,868 | #2 (+5) |
| 8 | Plano, TX | $115,000 | 92.7 | $124,056 | #5 (+3) |
| 9 | Midland, TX | $95,500 | 92.7 | $103,021 | #8 (+1) |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Petroleum Engineers is in DALLAS, TX at $147,600, but after cost-of-living adjustment DALLAS, TX offers the best purchasing power at $159,223 equivalent.
- Hidden gem: Oklahoma City, OK ranks #7 by nominal pay but climbs to #2 once cost of living is factored in (up 5 spots), making its $119,704 go a lot further.
- Beware: Anchorage, AK looks strong at #2 on nominal pay ($129,197) but its high cost of living drops it 5 spots to #7 on purchasing power.
Salary Check
Are you a Petroleum Engineers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.