Energy · Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh is the one market we cover where power-line installers earn more than the U.S. median, while most of its energy engineers earn less. Careerscape recruits for western Pennsylvania gas, nuclear and utility employers from a remote, national bench of energy specialists.
Four energy industries
Pittsburgh is a headquarters town for Appalachian gas. EQT is based at EQT Plaza downtown, and CNX, a Marcellus and Utica producer, is based in Washington County. Both hire reservoir and completions engineers, land and regulatory staff and field crews, and BLS counts 800 roustabouts in the metro, about two and a half times the national share.
Nuclear is the second industry. Westinghouse Electric Company, headquartered in Cranberry Township and owned by Brookfield and Cameco, designs the AP1000 reactor and the eVinci microreactor. Its engineering, licensing and project work draws on the same mechanical, electrical and quality engineers that utilities want.
The third and fourth are petrochemicals and power delivery. Shell's Pennsylvania petrochemicals complex in Potter Township, Beaver County, northwest of Pittsburgh, began operating in 2022 and makes polyethylene pellets. Duquesne Light is the regional electric utility. For robotics, AI and hospital hiring in the region, see our Pittsburgh staffing guide.
Where it clusters
The region's energy employers sit in different counties, and commutes on the parkways can make or break an offer.
EQT Plaza and Duquesne Light's principal offices. Corporate engineering, gas marketing, finance, regulatory and utility planning roles.
Westinghouse's world headquarters, which moved here from Monroeville. Nuclear, mechanical and electrical engineering, licensing and project roles.
CNX's headquarters at Southpointe in Cecil Township. Gas operations, completions and field support roles.
Shell's petrochemicals complex in Potter Township, near I-376 and PA Route 18. Process operators, chemical engineers and maintenance staff.
Pay and depth
Of the five energy markets we cover, Pittsburgh is the only one where power-line installers earn more than the national median: $105,590 against $95,320, about 11% higher. Roustabouts (location quotient 2.47) are the deepest energy pool, and petroleum engineers (1.59), architectural and engineering managers (1.3) and geoscientists (1.21) are also above the national share.
| Occupation | Jobs in metro | Median pay · vs. U.S. | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineers | 210 | $130,230−10% | 1.59 |
| Electrical Engineers | 1,630 | $104,990−13% | 1.14 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 1,030 | $105,590+11% | 1.09 |
| Power Plant Operators | 140 | $93,870−8% | 0.67 |
| Environmental Engineers | 300 | $98,010−8% | 1.10 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 200 | $76,410−25% | 1.21 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | 800 | $47,830+2% | 2.47 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | 260 | $72,190−25% | 1.08 |
| Chemical Engineers | 110 | $152,290+22% | 0.71 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 2,060 | $161,720−6% | 1.30 |
Engineering pay mostly trails the U.S. Petroleum engineers earn $130,230 (U.S. $144,910), electrical engineers $104,990 (U.S. $120,630) and geoscientists $76,410 (U.S. $101,920). Chemical engineers are the exception at $152,290, but the pool is small at 110 jobs (LQ 0.71). BLS did not publish Pittsburgh figures for solar installers or wind technicians. Jobs and median annual pay for the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, all employers, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025). “Vs. U.S.” compares with the national median. Concentration is the BLS location quotient: above 1.0 means the job makes up a bigger share of local employment than it does nationally.
Who hires what
Employers are named as market context, not as Careerscape clients.
| Segment | Example employers | Typical roles |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas production | EQT, CNX | Reservoir and completions engineers, geologists, landmen, field operators, roustabouts |
| Nuclear design and services | Westinghouse | Nuclear, mechanical and electrical engineers, licensing specialists, project managers |
| Power delivery | Duquesne Light | Line workers, distribution and protection engineers, utility planners |
| Petrochemicals | Shell's Beaver County complex | Chemical and process engineers, process operators, maintenance and reliability staff |
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates the state's utilities and collects and distributes the state's natural gas impact fee. Source: Wikipedia: Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Hiring advice
What the pay data and the 2026 market suggest.
With a local median above the U.S., Pittsburgh utilities can recruit experienced line workers from other states without paying a premium over local rates. Say the rate in the first conversation.
Petroleum and electrical engineers earn less here than nationally. Senior candidates from Texas or Colorado will want a clear case on pay, cost of living or scope.
Westinghouse's reactor and microreactor work competes for nuclear, mechanical and quality engineers across the region. Start nuclear-experienced searches nationally and early.
A Beaver County plant, a Cranberry office and a Washington County field office draw different candidates. Put the site and shift pattern up front.
Plant turnarounds, power projects and pipeline work come in waves. Contract staffing fits the peak; keep direct hire for core operations.
Request talent
Tell us the role, the county and the schedule, and an energy recruiter will get back to you.
Looking for a job instead? Submit your resume or browse open jobs.
FAQ
BLS reports a $105,590 median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers in the Pittsburgh metro in May 2025, about 11% above the $95,320 U.S. median. The metro had about 1,030 of them, a location quotient of 1.09. Among the five energy markets we cover, Pittsburgh is the only one above the national median for this role.
Yes. Westinghouse Electric Company is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Butler County, where it moved from Monroeville. It is owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners with its partners (51%) and Cameco (49%), and it designs the AP1000 reactor and the eVinci microreactor. Its engineering and licensing work is a major draw for nuclear, mechanical and quality engineers in the region.
Shell's Pennsylvania petrochemicals complex in Potter Township began operating in 2022 and turns ethane from regional gas into polyethylene pellets. Plants like it hire process operators, chemical and process engineers, maintenance and reliability staff, and instrumentation technicians. Pittsburgh's chemical engineer pool is small (110 jobs, LQ 0.71), so senior process roles often need a search that reaches Houston and the Gulf Coast.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission oversees utilities in energy, water, telecommunications and transportation, and it collects and distributes the state's natural gas impact fee. It has five commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. Utility rate and planning work before the commission drives regulatory, engineering and analyst roles.
Yes. Careerscape has no Pittsburgh office. Its energy recruiters work remotely, search western Pennsylvania and other gas and nuclear markets, and send employers a pre-screened shortlist in a private Employer Portal. Job seekers pay nothing. Our energy staffing services page explains each hiring option.
Send us the role. You get a short list of screened candidates, from the region or from other energy markets.
How can we help?
We got it!
A recruiter will reach out shortly.
Application Submitted!
Thank you for applying. We'll review your application and get back to you soon.