Engineering Parkersburg, WV Pop. 29,675

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia

The median petroleum engineer salary in Parkersburg, WV is $105,440 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$105,440
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
$-26,360
Cost of Living
80%

Petroleum Engineer Pay in Parkersburg: What to Expect (2026)

Parkersburg offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $105,440, which is $5,272 below the West Virginia state average of $110,712. Compared to the national median of $131,800, Parkersburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Parkersburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $105,440 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Parkersburg an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Parkersburg spans from $64,000 at the 10th percentile to $161,600 at the 90th percentile — a $97,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,200, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,000. Parkersburg is a smaller market (pop. 29,675), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Parkersburg by Experience

In Parkersburg, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $67,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,200
$-16,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,200
$-26,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,000
$-39,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Parkersburg, WV

Percentile Parkersburg
10th Percentile $64,000
25th Percentile $81,600
Median (50th) $105,440
75th Percentile $134,400
90th Percentile $161,600

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Parkersburg

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Parkersburg may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Parkersburg

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Parkersburg, WV:

Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Parkersburg

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia is $105,440 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $64,000 (10th percentile) to $161,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Parkersburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,440, a petroleum engineer in Parkersburg earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Parkersburg compare to the West Virginia state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Parkersburg's median petroleum engineer salary of $105,440 is 4.8% below the West Virginia state average of $110,712. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
Parkersburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a petroleum engineer salary of $105,440 in Parkersburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Parkersburg? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Parkersburg require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.