# Project controls engineer salary and careers in energy (2026)

> Project controls covers planning, scheduling, cost control and reporting on large energy projects. In the US, project management specialists earned a median of $102,320 in May 2025 and cost estimators $78,740. In Houston they averaged $107,190 and $84,820. AACE's PSP and CCP certifications need 8 years' experience, or 4 years plus a degree.

Source: RigJobsDirect, https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/project-controls-careers-in-energy
Category: Salaries. Last updated: 2026-10-16.

A project controls engineer keeps a large energy project on time and on budget: they build and update the schedule, track cost against budget, forecast the final cost and report problems early. Pay is good and steady. In the US, project management specialists earned a median of **$102,320** a year in May 2025 and cost estimators **$78,740**, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In the Houston metro area, the averages were **$107,190** and **$84,820**.

Project management and controls is also the biggest role group on RigJobsDirect: on 16 October 2026 we listed [1,568 project management and controls jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls) at 151 employers. This guide explains the roles, the skills and certificates employers ask for, salaries, and where the jobs are.

## What project controls means in oil and gas

On a refinery upgrade, an LNG plant, an offshore platform or a pipeline, hundreds of contractors work to one plan and one budget. Project controls is the team that measures progress against that plan. It usually covers:

- **Planning and scheduling:** building the project schedule, linking activities, setting the critical path, and updating progress.
- **Cost control:** setting up the budget, tracking commitments and actual costs, and forecasting the final cost.
- **Cost estimating:** pricing the work before and during the project.
- **Change management:** recording and pricing changes to scope.
- **Earned value and reporting:** combining schedule and cost into performance measures and monthly reports.
- **Risk:** running schedule and cost risk analysis to set contingency.

### Common job titles

| Title | Main focus |
|---|---|
| Planning engineer, planner, scheduler | Schedule (often in Primavera P6) |
| Cost engineer, cost controller | Budget, actual cost, forecast |
| Cost estimator | Pricing work before contract award |
| Project controls engineer | Mix of schedule and cost |
| Project controls lead or manager | Runs the controls team on a project |
| Document controller | Manages drawings and project documents (often in the same team) |

## Planning engineer in oil and gas: job description

A planning engineer in oil and gas typically:

1. Builds the baseline schedule from the scope, the engineering and procurement plan and the construction method.
2. Loads resources and checks that the plan is realistic.
3. Collects progress from site and contractors, updates the schedule each week or month, and reports slippage.
4. Analyses the critical path and suggests recovery plans.
5. Reviews contractors' schedules for quality and logic.
6. Supports delay analysis and claims.

Shutdowns and turnarounds at refineries and plants need a special kind of planner who schedules thousands of short maintenance tasks over a few weeks. These roles are common in [maintenance and reliability](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/maintenance) teams.

### Primavera P6 planner jobs

Most large energy projects schedule in Oracle Primavera P6, Oracle's enterprise project portfolio management software ([Oracle](https://www.oracle.com/construction-engineering/primavera-p6/)). Job ads for planners and schedulers usually ask for several years of P6 use. Microsoft Project appears in smaller projects. Useful extras are risk tools for schedule risk analysis, Excel and a reporting tool such as Power BI.

P6 scheduler jobs can be remote or hybrid, because the schedule lives in software. On 16 October 2026, 41 of our project management and controls jobs were fully remote, and 84 said you could apply from anywhere. See all [remote energy jobs](https://rigjobsdirect.com/remote-jobs).

## Cost engineer in oil and gas

A cost engineer or cost controller in oil and gas:

- Breaks the budget into a cost breakdown structure that matches the schedule.
- Tracks commitments (purchase orders and contracts) and actual spend.
- Produces a monthly forecast of the final cost and explains variances.
- Prices change orders and checks contractor invoices against progress.
- Feeds into earned value reporting.

Cost estimators work earlier, pricing the project or a contractor's bid. BLS describes estimators reading drawings, calculating and adjusting estimates, recommending ways to cut costs and keeping records of estimated against actual cost, and says they learn to use specialised estimating software ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm)).

## Project controls engineer salary

### United States

BLS figures for May 2025 ([project management specialists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm), [cost estimators](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm), [Houston metro](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26420.htm)):

| Role group | US median | US mean | Houston metro mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project management specialists | $102,320 | $110,740 | $107,190 |
| Cost estimators | $78,740 | $85,390 | $84,820 |

BLS does not have a separate "project controls engineer" category, so planners and cost engineers are spread across these groups and engineering categories. Senior controls managers on large projects earn more than these averages.

On RigJobsDirect on 16 October 2026, 241 of the 1,568 project management and controls jobs stated a yearly salary, and most of those were between $76,000 and $200,000 a year. Houston had the most, with 107 open [project management and controls jobs in Houston](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/houston). For other Houston roles, see our guide to [oil and gas salaries in Houston and the Permian](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/oil-and-gas-salaries-in-houston-and-the-permian).

### Project control engineer salary in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Dubai

We did not find official salary statistics for project controls roles in the Gulf, and Gulf job ads rarely state a salary, so we do not quote a figure. Gulf packages usually split pay into a basic salary and allowances, and salaries are not taxed in Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Our guide to [Gulf oil and gas salaries and benefits](https://rigjobsdirect.com/guides/oil-gas-salaries-benefits-gulf) explains how to compare offers. On 16 October 2026 we listed 23 [project management and controls jobs in Abu Dhabi](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/abu-dhabi), at 11 employers, plus energy jobs across [Saudi Arabia](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/saudi-arabia) (227) and the [UAE](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/in/united-arab-emirates) (485).

### Project controls engineer salary in the UK

We did not find official UK statistics specific to project controls. Ask employers for the salary band early and compare offers on the total package. We had 12 [project management and controls jobs in Aberdeen](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/aberdeen) on 16 October 2026.

### Salaries at big contractors

People often search for pay at specific engineering contractors. Salaries vary by office, grade and project, and these companies do not publish pay scales. Use the ads that do state pay, and ask recruiters for the band for your grade.

## Certifications for planners and cost engineers

Certificates are not always required, but they help, especially for senior roles. Check the job ads in the region you are aiming for to see which ones employers ask for. BLS notes that certification "may be beneficial" for project management specialists.

| Certification | Body | Who it is for | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSP (Planning and Scheduling Professional) | AACE International | Planners and schedulers | 8 years' relevant experience, or 4 years plus a 4-year relevant degree |
| CCP (Certified Cost Professional) | AACE International | Cost engineers and controls leads | 8 years' relevant experience, or 4 years plus a 4-year relevant degree |
| CST (Certified Scheduling Technician) | AACE International | Junior schedulers | 4 years' relevant experience, or a 4-year relevant degree |
| PMI-SP | Project Management Institute | Schedulers | See PMI |
| PMP | Project Management Institute | Project managers and controls leads | See PMI |

Details from AACE:

- **PSP:** an exam of up to 5 hours with 119 questions on planning and scheduling plus a memo-writing task; you need an overall 70% to pass; valid for 3 years ([AACE PSP](https://web.aacei.org/certification/certification-information/certifications-offered/professional-certifications/psp-details)).
- **CCP:** an exam of up to 5 hours with 119 questions on cost, performance measurement, scheduling and risk plus a memo; valid for 3 years and renewed with 12 continuing education units or a new exam ([AACE CCP](https://web.aacei.org/certification/certification-information/certifications-offered/professional-certifications/ccp-details)).
- **CST:** a 3-hour, 100-question open-book exam; valid for 4 years. Fees listed were $260 for AACE members and $390 for non-members ([AACE CST](https://web.aacei.org/certification/certification-information/certifications-offered/technician-certifications/cst-details)).

For PMP and PMI-SP requirements and fees, check the official pages for [PMP](https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp) and [PMI-SP](https://www.pmi.org/certifications/scheduling-professional-pmi-sp).

## How to get into project controls

1. **Start from engineering, quantity surveying or construction.** BLS says project management specialists typically need a bachelor's degree, and some employers prefer engineering ([BLS](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm)).
2. **Learn P6 properly.** Build a full schedule with logic, resources and a baseline, and practise updates.
3. **Get site exposure.** Planners who understand how construction and commissioning really happen are trusted more.
4. **Join as a junior planner or cost controller** at an engineering contractor or operator, then specialise.
5. **Add a certification** once you have the experience: CST early, then PSP or CCP.

### Your CV for planning engineer roles

Name the projects (type, value, phase), the scheduling tool and version, the size of schedules you handled, the reports you produced and any certifications. Numbers help: "maintained a 12,000-activity P6 schedule for a $1.2 billion gas plant" says more than "responsible for planning".

## Where the jobs are

On RigJobsDirect on 16 October 2026, the biggest cities for project management and controls jobs were:

| City | Open jobs |
|---|---|
| [Houston](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/houston) | 107 |
| [Chennai](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/chennai) | 38 |
| [Bangalore](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/bangalore) | 30 |
| [Singapore](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/singapore) | 28 |
| [Abu Dhabi](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/abu-dhabi) | 23 |
| [Brisbane](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/brisbane) | 15 |
| [Calgary](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/calgary) | 14 |
| [New Delhi](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/new-delhi) | 14 |
| [Aberdeen](https://rigjobsdirect.com/jobs/role/project-controls/in/aberdeen) | 12 |

Chennai and Bangalore rank high because several large energy and engineering employers have offices there. 29 of the 1,568 jobs stated visa sponsorship; see all [energy jobs with visa sponsorship](https://rigjobsdirect.com/visa-sponsorship-jobs).

Pay figures and certification rules change. This guide is general information, so check the official links before you decide.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the average project controls engineer salary?

There is no official category for it. In the US, project management specialists earned a median of $102,320 a year and cost estimators $78,740 in May 2025 (BLS). Ads on RigJobsDirect that stated pay mostly offered $76,000 to $200,000 a year.

### What does a planning engineer do in oil and gas?

They build and update the project schedule, usually in Primavera P6, track progress from site and contractors, analyse the critical path, and report delays and recovery plans to the project team.

### Do I need PSP or PMP to be a planner?

Not usually for a first job. Employers ask for P6 experience first. PSP from AACE International becomes possible once you have 4 to 8 years of experience, and some senior ads ask for it.

### Are Primavera P6 scheduler jobs remote?

Some are. On 16 October 2026, 41 of the 1,568 project management and controls jobs on RigJobsDirect were fully remote. Most planners still work in an office or on site, at least part of the week.

### What is the difference between a cost engineer and a cost estimator?

An estimator prices work before it is awarded. A cost engineer controls cost during the project: tracking spend and commitments, forecasting the final cost and pricing changes.

## Sources

- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_26420.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/developers/
- https://web.aacei.org/certification/certification-information/certifications-offered/professional-certifications/psp-details
- https://web.aacei.org/certification/certification-information/certifications-offered/professional-certifications/ccp-details
- https://web.aacei.org/certification/certification-information/certifications-offered/technician-certifications/cst-details
- https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp
- https://www.pmi.org/certifications/scheduling-professional-pmi-sp
- https://www.oracle.com/construction-engineering/primavera-p6/