How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in West Virginia: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median petroleum engineer salary in West Virginia is $93,360 per year - 36% below the national median of $144,910 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering.
Petroleum Engineer Salary in West Virginia
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia entry level (10th percentile) | $79,860 |
| West Virginia 25th-75th percentile | $82,370 - $148,350 |
| West Virginia median | $93,360 |
| West Virginia top earners (90th percentile) | $220,130 |
| U.S. median | $144,910 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 380.
The West Virginia Job Market: Petroleum Engineer
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in West Virginia | 380 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.54 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 4.68 |
| Mean annual wage in West Virginia | $122,770 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 4.68, West Virginia employs petroleum engineers at a noticeably higher concentration than the national average: a strong local market for the credential.
Requirements in West Virginia
The education path is national - ABET-accredited bachelor’s in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering - while licensing runs through West Virginia’s own boards: PE license for some roles; not required for most operator jobs. 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 Petroleum Engineer.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $81,440 |
| 25th | $106,270 |
| 50th (median) | $144,910 |
| 75th | $197,920 |
| 90th | $253,200 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19,600 |
| 2034 projected | 19,800 |
| Percent change | +1.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a petroleum engineer make in West Virginia?
The median annual wage for petroleum engineers in West Virginia is $93,360 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 36% below the national median of $144,910.
How do I become a petroleum engineer in West Virginia?
The core path is the same nationwide - ABET-accredited bachelor's in petroleum, mechanical, or chemical engineering - with licensing administered at the state level: PE license for some roles; not required for most operator jobs. See the steps below.
How many petroleum engineers work in West Virginia?
BLS counts about 380 petroleum engineers employed in West Virginia (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Petroleum Engineer in Nearby States
- Petroleum Engineer in Utah
- Petroleum Engineer in Washington
- Petroleum Engineer in Alaska
- Petroleum Engineer in California
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Petroleum Engineers (SOC 17-2171), 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) |