How to Become a Geoscientist in West Virginia: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median geoscientist salary in West Virginia is $76,060 per year - 25% below the national median of $101,920 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in geology or geoscience (master’s preferred for some research roles).
Geoscientist Salary in West Virginia
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia entry level (10th percentile) | $52,770 |
| West Virginia 25th-75th percentile | $61,180 - $100,420 |
| West Virginia median | $76,060 |
| West Virginia top earners (90th percentile) | $120,250 |
| U.S. median | $101,920 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 90.
The West Virginia Job Market: Geoscientist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in West Virginia | 90 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.13 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 0.87 |
| Mean annual wage in West Virginia | $83,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.87, West Virginia’s demand for geoscientists tracks close to the national average.
Requirements in West Virginia
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in geology or geoscience (master’s preferred for some research roles) - while licensing runs through West Virginia’s own boards: State PG (Professional Geologist) license for consulting sign-off in many states. Verify current requirements with the West Virginia licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Geoscientist.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $59,330 |
| 25th | $75,110 |
| 50th (median) | $101,920 |
| 75th | $139,380 |
| 90th | $200,230 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 25,100 |
| 2034 projected | 26,000 |
| Percent change | +3.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a geoscientist make in West Virginia?
The median annual wage for geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers in West Virginia is $76,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 25% below the national median of $101,920.
How do I become a geoscientist in West Virginia?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in geology or geoscience (master's preferred for some research roles) - with licensing administered at the state level: State PG (Professional Geologist) license for consulting sign-off in many states. See the steps below.
How many geoscientists work in West Virginia?
BLS counts about 90 geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers employed in West Virginia (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Geoscientist in Nearby States
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042), West Virginia and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
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/.
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) |