Quick answer:Mining and Geological Engineers in West Virginia earn a median $97,960 per year, below the national median of $106,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 440 of them. Licensing runs through your state engineering licensing board and MSHA.
Mining Engineering Pay and Employment in West Virginia at a Glance
Metric
West Virginia
National
Source
Median annual wage
$97,960
$106,220
BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile
$64,010
$67,490
BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile
$79,330
$85,280
BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile
$120,620
$136,590
BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile
$136,650
$169,990
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment
440
6,080
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient
16.2
1.00
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)
not published by state
0.7%
BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34
How West Virginia Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The West Virginia median of $97,960 sits below the national median of $106,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 16.2 puts West Virginia well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Mining engineering employment follows active mining districts, so it is concentrated in a small number of states and is cyclical with commodity prices.
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.
Metro Area
Employment
Median Annual Wage
Avg. Annual Wage
Entry Level (10th pctile)
Experienced (90th pctile)
Beckley
140
$81,370
$91,700
$66,680
$115,210
Charleston
70
$84,450
$96,020
$59,990
$134,750
Wheeling
30
$117,670
$112,630
$85,690
$146,350
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Mining engineering uses the standard state Professional Engineer framework, and licensure is somewhat more common here than in other industrial disciplines because ground control and ventilation design carry public-safety weight. Separately, federal mine safety regulation through MSHA governs operations regardless of any individual license.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state engineering licensing board and MSHA that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 1 school
within 63 miles, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
1 of them carries a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
How much do mining and geological engineers make in West Virginia?
The median annual wage for mining and geological engineers in West Virginia is $97,960, below the national median of $106,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $79,330 at the 25th percentile to $120,620 at the 75th.
How many mining and geological engineers work in West Virginia?
West Virginia holds about 440 mining engineer jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 6,080, and BLS projects about 400 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a mining engineer in West Virginia?
Mining engineering uses the standard state Professional Engineer framework, and licensure is somewhat more common here than in other industrial disciplines because ground control and ventilation design carry public-safety weight. Separately, federal mine safety regulation through MSHA governs operations regardless of any individual license. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state engineering licensing board and MSHA before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a ABET-accredited bachelor's in mining or geological engineering online while working in West Virginia?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state engineering licensing board and MSHA.
What is the highest-paying area of West Virginia for mining and geological engineers?
Among West Virginia metro areas with published data, Wheeling reports the highest median at $117,670 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is West Virginia a good state for mining and geological engineers?
On pay, the state median of $97,960 sits below the national $106,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 16.2 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Mining and Geological Engineers (SOC 17-2151), national, state and metropolitan estimates
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
