Engineering Charleston, WV Pop. 48,006

Environmental Engineer Salary in Charleston, West Virginia

The median environmental engineer salary in Charleston, WV is $85,202 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.8% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$85,202
vs State Avg
+$3,873
vs National
$-11,618
Cost of Living
88%

Environmental Engineer Pay in Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

Charleston offers a median environmental engineer salary of $85,202, which is $3,873 above the West Virginia state average of $81,329. Compared to the national median of $96,820, Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Charleston's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $85,202 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,820 in an average-cost city. This makes Charleston an attractive option for environmental engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for environmental engineers in Charleston spans from $53,680 at the 10th percentile to $130,240 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,320, while senior environmental engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,960. Charleston is a smaller market (pop. 48,006), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Environmental Engineer Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level environmental engineer earns around $56,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,320
$-7,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,240
$-11,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,960
$-17,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, WV

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $53,680
25th Percentile $66,880
Median (50th) $85,202
75th Percentile $107,360
90th Percentile $130,240

Environmental Engineer Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

How to Become a Environmental Engineer in Charleston

Education

Most environmental engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Charleston and the surrounding West Virginia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Environmental RemediationWater TreatmentAir QualityEPA RegulationsGISProject Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, environmental engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Environmental Engineer Jobs in Charleston

Browse open environmental engineer positions in Charleston, WV:

Frequently Asked Questions: Environmental Engineer Salary in Charleston

How much does a Environmental Engineer make in Charleston, WV? ▼
The median environmental engineer salary in Charleston, West Virginia is $85,202 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $96,820. Salaries range from $53,680 (10th percentile) to $130,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Environmental Engineer make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,202, a environmental engineer in Charleston earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the West Virginia state average for environmental engineer pay? ▼
Charleston's median environmental engineer salary of $85,202 is 4.8% above the West Virginia state average of $81,329. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, WV? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a environmental engineer salary of $85,202 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a environmental engineer in Charleston? ▼
Most environmental engineer positions in Charleston require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Environmental Remediation, Water Treatment, Air Quality, EPA Regulations. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.