What do energy jobs pay in 2026? Top salaries across sectors revealed

As the energy industry continues to adapt to technological advances and shifts towards sustainable practices, understanding the financial rewards of various positions is crucial for energy professionals navigating their careers.

This comprehensive analysis reveals the highest-paying energy jobs globally and explores sector trends, salary dynamics, and the skills that command top dollar in this competitive field.

Using the latest data from our 2026 Global Energy Talent Index (GETI) Report, this article offers valuable insights into the best paying jobs in energy for current professionals and those aspiring to enter the sector.

Best-paying jobs in energy

From drilling supervisors in Asia to business development managers in Australasia and the surging demand for expertise in renewables, the energy sector shines with opportunities.

Here are some of its brightest stars.

Top 10 highest-paying jobs in energy (contractors)

Top 10 highest-paying jobs in energy (permanent workers)

Salary trends for oil and gas workers

A promising pipeline of projects looks set to put the industry on an upward trajectory, and with competition for talent remaining fierce, hiring managers will want to take a proactive people strategy to secure talent early.”

James Allen, CEO - Airswift

Salaries across the traditional energy sector (oil and gas, petrochemicals) continue to trend upward despite a challenging economic environment. In 2026, 50% of professionals reported receiving a pay rise, unchanged from the previous year, although the proportion receiving increases above 5% fell to 22%, down from 26%. Just 5% reported a salary reduction.

Hiring managers also reported continued salary growth, with 60% saying pay increased during the year. One-third (33%) reported rises above 5%, although this is slightly lower than the previous year's 34%, suggesting that salary growth may be beginning to stabilise after several years of strong increases.

Despite this moderation, salary optimism remains high. 67% of professionals expect their pay to rise over the next year, while 36% anticipate increases exceeding 5%. Only 3% expect a pay decrease.

Hiring managers remain similarly confident, with 68% expecting salaries to increase in the coming year. 39% believe pay rises will exceed 5%, while only 7% anticipate a decline.

Best-paying jobs in oil and gas

Top five highest-paying jobs in oil and gas (contractors)

• Drilling supervisor in Australasia: $1,574 per day
• Drilling supervisor in Africa: $1,376 per day
• Geophysicist in Africa: $1,347 per day
• Drilling supervisor in Europe: $1,317 per day
• Drilling supervisor in North America: $1,258 per day

Top five highest-paying jobs in oil and gas (permanent workers)

• Drilling supervisor in Australasia: $303,000 annually
• Drilling engineer in Australasia: $211,150 annually
• Project manager in Australasia: $193,731 annually
• Commissioning engineer in Australasia: $189,928 annually
• HSE manager in Australasia: $189,736 annually

Best-paying jobs in petrochemicals

Top five highest-paying jobs in petrochemicals (contractors)

• Process operations production manager in Africa: $1,387 per day
• Construction manager in Africa: $1,188 per day
• QA/QC manager in Europe: $1,173 per day
• Health and safety manager in Africa: $1,159 per day
• Construction manager in Europe: $1,127 per day

Top five highest-paying jobs in petrochemicals (permanent workers)

• Electrical engineer in North America, $210,814 annually
• Environmental manager in North America, $183,421 annually
• Construction manager in North America, $174,162 annually
• Finance manager in North America, $149,843 annually
• Chemical engineer in North America, $128,556 annually

Salary trends for transitional energy sectors

“Against a global backdrop of instability, some organisations are evaluating whether to switch to performancebased pay, which could change the spread of increases next year.” 
James Allen, CEO - Airswift

Salaries in the transitional energy sector (power and nuclear) have remained strong, with 53% of professionals reporting a pay rise in 2026, only slightly below 54% in the previous year. 24% received increases of more than 5%, while just 5% experienced a pay decrease.

Hiring managers also reported continued salary growth, although sentiment softened slightly compared to the previous year. 63% percent reported salary increases, down from 66% in 2025, while 6% reported a decline in pay. Overall, salary growth remains healthy despite signs of moderation.

Salary optimism continues to be high across the sector. 73% percent of professionals expect their pay to rise over the next year, broadly in line with 2025 levels, and 35% anticipate increases exceeding 5%.

Hiring managers share this positive outlook, with 72% expecting salaries to increase in the coming year. However, expectations for larger pay rises have eased, with 36% anticipating increases above 5%, down from 45% in the previous year. Only 7% expect salaries to decline.

Best-paying jobs in power

Top five highest-paying jobs in power (contractors)

• Project manager in Asia: $1,019 per day
• Quantity surveyor in North America: $946 per day
• HSE manager in North America: $939 per day
• Commercial manager in North America: $859 per day
• Commissioning engineer in Australasia: $834 per day

Top five highest-paying jobs in power (permanent workers)

• Project manager in Australasia: $259,323 annually
• Construction manager in Australasia: $206,235 annually
• Commercial manager in Australasia: $198,396 annually
• HSE manager in Australasia: $182,830 annually
• Project engineer in Australasia: $165,805 annually

• Australasia continues to offer the highest average permanent salaries in the energy sector at $135,000, although annual growth has slowed to 3% after several years of strong increases.

• North America remains a highly competitive market, recording the strongest salary growth (6%) and the second-highest average salary ($106,000). Latin America and the Middle East also posted solid gains, with salaries rising 5% year-on-year, reflecting continued demand for skilled talent.

• Salary levels across Europe ($81,000), the Middle East ($77,000), Africa ($75,000), and Asia ($71,000) remain relatively close, suggesting stable labour markets with consistent demand for energy professionals.

• For contractors, North America continues to lead globally, offering the highest average day rate at $755, alongside 6% annual growth. Australasia also remains an attractive market, with average day rates reaching $714.

• Africa has seen steady contractor pay growth since 2022. Day rates increased 4% year-on-year, outpacing permanent salary growth (3%), which may reflect rising demand for specialist and project-based expertise.

• Europe was the only region to record a decline in contractor pay, with average day rates slipping from $667 to $663. Although modest, the decrease contrasts with the broader global trend of rising contractor rates.

• The Commissioning Manager role recorded the largest increases, with day rates rising 17% and permanent salaries 19% year-on-year. Operations Managers also saw strong growth, with day rates up 11% and salaries increasing 12%. These trends highlight continued demand for professionals who can deliver projects and optimise operational performance.

Five key takeaways on energy salaries from GETI

1. Highest-paying energy jobs

Drilling supervisors, drilling engineers, project managers, and commissioning engineers remain among the highest-paid professionals in the energy sector due to their critical role in project delivery, operational performance, and safety.

Across power, nuclear, and renewables, leadership roles such as commissioning managers, construction managers, and operations managers also command premium pay, highlighting strong demand for professionals who can deliver complex projects and maintain efficient operations.

The appearance of business development managers among the highest-paid roles in renewables reflects continued investment in energy transition projects and the sector's growing commercial maturity.

2. Salary trends and growth

Salary growth across the energy sector remains positive, although the pace of increases is beginning to moderate. While most professionals continue to receive pay rises and remain optimistic about future earnings, fewer expect increases above 5%, suggesting that post-pandemic salary acceleration is starting to stabilise.

Demand for experienced technical, operational, and project leadership talent remains strong across both traditional and transitional energy sectors. Roles such as Commissioning Managers and Operations Managers are seeing some of the fastest pay growth, reflecting the increasing value employers place on professionals who can deliver complex projects and optimise asset performance.

3. Regional salary differences

Australasia continues to offer the highest average salaries in the energy sector, while North America has recorded the strongest year-on-year salary growth. Contractor demand also remains strong, with North America maintaining the highest average day rates globally.

As competition for skilled talent continues, employers will need to balance competitive pay with broader talent attraction and retention strategies. For professionals, regional salary trends can provide valuable insight into where the strongest opportunities for career growth and earnings may be found.

4. Rising contractor rates

Contractor rates continue to rise across most regions, with North America maintaining the highest average day rates globally and Australasia remaining a highly competitive market for contract talent.

Africa has also seen steady growth in contractor pay since 2022, reflecting increasing demand for specialist and project-based expertise. In contrast, Europe was the only region to record a slight decline in average day rates.

As energy projects grow in scale and complexity, demand for flexible, highly skilled contractors is likely to remain strong, particularly in technical, operational, and project delivery roles.

5. Optimism for future pay rises

Salary optimism remains high across the energy sector. However, expectations for increases above 5% have eased across traditional energy, power, nuclear, and renewables, pointing to more measured salary growth.

While large pay increases are becoming less common, continued confidence reflects strong demand for skilled talent and a healthy pipeline of energy projects.

As competition for experienced professionals continues, employers will need to complement competitive pay with broader talent attraction and retention strategies. For workers, developing leadership, operational, and project delivery skills may help strengthen long-term earning potential.

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Download the full GETI 2026 report

Would you like to learn more about the best-paying jobs in energy and employment trends expected to shape the sector in 2026? Get all the latest insights across the energy industry when you download the 2026 GETI report.