Petroleum industry professionals reported an average total compensation of USD 203,557 in 2013, similar to the level reported in the 2011 salary survey, after showing a larger percentage increase in 2012. Although the figure is lower than the reported total compensation in 2012, the pool of respondents reported experiencing an average increase of 6.5% globally in base pay over the past year. Eight out of 10 respondents (79.6%) indicated that their base pay increased over 2012.
The mean base pay reported in 2013 (USD 153,620) was between the 2011 mean (USD 148,301) and 2012 mean (USD 166,753). Bonus and other compensation rose from USD 56,000 to USD 64,000, accounting for much of the reported 6.5% average reported increase in total compensation. Fewer than one out of three respondents (31%) indicated that he or she received a car allowance in 2013.
The average age of energy and petroleum professionals responding to the survey was 43, which is consistent with the previous 2 years’ salary surveys. Experience remained constant from 2012 to 2013 with an average of 17.7 years of industry experience among respondents. About 37% of respondents reported an education level higher than a bachelor’s degree, a percentage relatively unchanged from 2012 to 2013.
Gender and Experience
A higher percentage of industry professionals were represented by women (12.3%) in this year’s survey compared with previous years. Professionals of both genders were almost equally likely to have experienced a pay increase or decrease in the past year.
Bonus pay and other compensation accounted for much of the increase, particularly in top management positions. Technicians and specialist/support staff reported a lower base salary, which accounts for lower reported overall compensation in the survey. The corresponding lower level of experience for technical and support staff is indicative of the lower corresponding average total compensation.
How the Survey Was Conducted
In July, SPE sent invitations to 64,066 professional members to participate in the annual salary study by completing an online survey. By the close of the survey on 13 August 2013, almost 9,000 recipients responded, of whom 7,522 provided valid region and compensation data, giving the survey a margin of error of ±1.06% at a 95% confidence level.
This year’s participants are based in 100 countries and represent citizenship in 102 countries. More than 95% of respondents indicated that they work full time. About one-fifth (19.7%) of participants in this year’s survey are engaged primarily in reservoir engineering, while 12.5% specialize in drilling and almost 12% (11.6%) are involved primarily in production and operations.
More than a quarter of respondents work for a service or manufacturing company (28.6%) or an independent oil and gas company (28.1%), while about one-fifth are employed by an integrated oil and gas company (21.5%). About one out of 10 respondents (9.4%) works for a national oil and gas company. All compensation data presented in this report is expressed in US dollars (USD). Data collected in local currencies has been converted to USD using the exchange rate as of 30 August 2013.
How to Learn More
This report represents a sample of current compensation in the industry. The complete salary survey report will be available from the SPE Bookstore at store.spe.org beginning in late November. Detailed summary reports showing charts and trends, and tables containing the raw data from the survey responses will also be available for download.
In addition, a historical summary of SPE Salary Survey highlights dating to the first survey in 1967 will be available later this month.
For more information about the survey, send your questions to speresearch@spe.org.