How to Become an Environmental Technician in West Virginia (2026)
West Virginia employs about 230 environmental technicians earning a median $59,750 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other”). Most environmental technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in West Virginia.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, West Virginia employs approximately 230 workers in the related “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other” category (SOC 19-4099), with a median annual wage of $59,750 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Environmental Technician in West Virginia, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track environmental technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other (SOC 19-4099). Actual environmental technician earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (West Virginia): $59,750 per year (based on related “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Environmental Technician in West Virginia
How to become an Environmental Technician in West Virginia? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for environmental technicians in West Virginia.
How long does it take? environmental technician training length in West Virginia varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do environmental technicians earn in West Virginia? The BLS does not track environmental technician wages separately. Based on the related “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other” category, the median annual wage in West Virginia is $59,750, with entry-level wages around $45,380 and experienced workers earning $85,390 or more 1.
How to Become an Environmental Technician in West Virginia
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most West Virginia training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved environmental technician program in West Virginia that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to environmental technicians in West Virginia before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Environmental Technician Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), environmental science and protection technicians, including health wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 2,720 | $75,341 | $80,888 | $46,113 | $122,812 |
| Charleston | 200 | $59,290 | $57,316 | $36,208 | $72,162 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 100 | $52,825 | $56,005 | $39,485 | $71,375 |
| Beckley | 70 | $58,510 | $55,930 | $40,650 | $67,820 |
| Wheeling | 40 | $48,980 | $49,320 | $35,330 | $65,370 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 30 | $60,080 | $62,830 | $42,970 | $86,240 |
| Morgantown | 30 | $59,750 | $65,000 | $46,870 | $81,100 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for environmental technicians in West Virginia? West Virginia employs approximately 230 workers in the related “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in West Virginia.
How much do environmental technicians earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for environmental technicians in West Virginia is $59,750 (based on the related “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other” category), which is $380 below the national median of $60,130 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |