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WV Marcellus Jobs Grew Modestly, Wages Rose
By: Associated Press
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West Virginia's oil and gas industry grew by just 69 jobs in 2013, but average salaries jumped more than $2,400.
Workforce West Virginia's update came in an Oct. 8 draft report to state legislators. State law requires a Marcellus shale-related employment update by Nov. 1 annually.
There were 727 fewer workers on oil and gas pipelines and related structures last year, an 18.4 percent drop. Other Marcellus-related fields added jobs.
Overall, average wages grew 3.2 percent to about $78,000.
Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler and Wetzel counties gained most. Average industry wages there grew about $18,600, or 26.4 percent. With 339 jobs added, employment almost doubled.
An agency survey showed pipeline and related construction used the fewest in-state workers, 48.4 percent.
Only about half of employers responded to the survey.