What is the CSI Recruiting E&P Salary Report?
The CSI Recruiting Domestic E&P Salary Report is a comprehensive analysis of compensation and hiring trends for professionals working in U.S.-based exploration and production companies.
The report provides detailed base salary benchmarks across Petroleum Engineering, Geosciences, Land, and Accounting, along with:
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average annual bonus participation
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equity program prevalence
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paid time off benchmarks
In addition to compensation data, each position includes a market overview outlining experience requirements, core responsibilities, and real-time supply and demand trends. The result is a resource that delivers far more than salary data — it offers a clear picture of the current domestic E&P workforce and the forces shaping it.
Who is the report for?
Both employers and industry professionals.
For company leaders, hiring managers, and HR teams, the report supports:
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compensation benchmarking
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hiring strategy
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workforce planning
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annual budgeting
For engineers, geoscientists, land, and accounting & finance professionals, it provides a current view of peer compensation, career progression, and demand for their skill set.
What disciplines are included?
The report covers ten core job categories across four key disciplines:
Petroleum Engineering
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Reservoir Engineer
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Drilling Engineer
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Production / Operations Engineer
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Engineering Technician / Analyst
Petroleum Land Management
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Landman
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Land Administration
Petroleum Geosciences
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Geologist
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GeoTech / GIS Analyst
Accounting & Finance
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Accounting professionals within U.S. E&P organizations
Who participates?
All data comes from experienced professionals who are:
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employed full-time
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working directly for U.S.-based E&P operators
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compensated in U.S. dollars
Consultants, service companies, and international roles are not included.
Survey responses are collected confidentially and include:
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job title
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base salary
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years of experience
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bonus participation and percentage
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equity participation
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paid time off
Each year, the report reflects input from more than 1,500 upstream professionals, making it one of the most focused compensation datasets in the domestic E&P industry.
How long has the report been published?
The 2026 edition marks the 23rd consecutive year of publication, making it one of the longest-running and most consistent compensation studies dedicated exclusively to the U.S. upstream workforce.