Petroleum Engineer salary in West Virginia
Petroleum Engineers in West Virginia earn a median of $93,360 a year ($44.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,130 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $144,910. West Virginia ranks 16th of 16 states for petroleum engineers pay. There are 0.54 petroleum engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $122,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for petroleum engineers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,860 | $38.39 |
| 25th percentile | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Median | $93,360 | $44.89 |
| 75th percentile | $148,350 | $71.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,130 | $105.83 |
| Average (mean) | $122,770 | $59.02 |
Half of petroleum engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,780 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,890 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,590.77 |
| Weekly | $1,795.38 |
| Hourly | $44.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Petroleum Engineer salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston, WV | $88,860 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for petroleum engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $206,290 |
| Utah | $172,840 |
| Colorado | $172,190 |
| Texas | $164,860 |
| Oklahoma | $153,020 |
| California | $143,590 |
| Louisiana | $139,640 |
| Washington | $134,800 |
| North Dakota | $132,120 |
| Kansas | $115,640 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $86,930 | $41.79 |
| Industrial Engineer | $108,360 | $52.10 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,390 | $46.82 |
| Engineers, All Other | $118,800 | $57.11 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,420 | $54.53 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $97,960 | $47.10 |
| Environmental Engineer | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,170 | $57.78 |
| Surveyor | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $48,530 | $23.33 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2171. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a petroleum engineer make in West Virginia?
The median salary for petroleum engineers in West Virginia is $93,360 a year, or $44.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid petroleum engineers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of petroleum engineers in West Virginia earn at least $220,130 a year. The top 25% earn $148,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for petroleum engineers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,860 a year, and a quarter of petroleum engineers earn $82,370 or less.
How many petroleum engineers work in West Virginia?
About 380 petroleum engineers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.