Key Points:
- Natural gas output in the Marcellus and Utica Basins continues to rise, with production expected to reach around 35 Bcf/d by 2025, creating demand for skilled workers across drilling, midstream, and energy operations.
- The move from coal to natural gas in the U.S. power generation is increasing the need for engineers, operations staff, and environmental specialists.
- After a slowdown earlier in the 2010s, the region is experiencing renewed development due to improved well performance and expanding pipeline networks.
- Utica’s dual gas-and-oil production potential is creating opportunities for operators and workers, especially in drilling, completions, and field leadership roles.
- Both employers and job seekers should understand how long-term infrastructure planning and industry stability are influencing career and hiring decisions.
Background
The Appalachian Basin, comprising the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, forms one of the most productive natural gas regions in North America. The Marcellus Shale extends across approximately 95,000 square miles, encompassing large areas of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and parts of New York. It lies around 4,000 to 8,500ft below the surface, with an estimated 500 Tcf of natural gas. The Utica shale sits even deeper, approximately 12,500ft below the surface, and is believed to contain up to 782 Tcf of recoverable gas (World Oil).
Activity is concentrated primarily in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, with drilling and output expanding steadily as infrastructure improves and well designs yield higher production rates.
As development enters this more stable growth phase, workforce requirements are changing. Operators, midstream companies, and service providers are prioritizing specialized technical skills, operational experience, and long-term project capability, which is influencing hiring strategies and career opportunities across the region. In the Utica specifically, the presence of profitable oil windows alongside rich gas zones is attracting operators who want to capitalize on both commodities, further expanding the range of technical and leadership roles required.
What’s causing the current growth in natural gas development?
Production from the Marcellus and Utica shale plays currently accounts for around 20% of North America’s natural gas supply and is projected to increase to 35 Bcf/d by 2025 as domestic energy demand and power generation shift further toward natural gas.
There are a few main factors:
Power generation is changing - Many coal-fired power plants have closed or reduced output due to cost and environmental pressures. Natural gas has stepped in as a more flexible and cleaner-burning alternative.
Pipeline capacity is expanding - Projects such as Atlantic Sunrise, Mountain Valley, WB Express, and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline are opening new routes to Northeast cities, the Mid-Atlantic, and even LNG terminals on the Gulf Coast (ICF).
Technology has improved - Advances in horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracturing are helping companies produce more gas with fewer wells.
Data center and AI demand - The expansion of energy‑intensive data centers is increasing the need for reliable natural gas supply and new infrastructure.
How has the workforce changed since the basins’ first development cycle?
When activity first accelerated around the late 2000s, rapid drilling led to oversupply. Prices fell sharply, and many companies reduced operations or exited the market altogether.
During this period, workforce structures became more efficient. Companies streamlined their operations and shifted their focus from high-volume drilling to optimized production. As a result, today’s operations rely on a smaller, more technically capable workforce, one that can manage more complex wells, integrated infrastructure, and higher safety and environmental standards. According to World Oil, permits for new shale gas wells, including those in the Marcellus and Utica regions, have decreased from 2,081 in 2015 to 692 in 2023. However, annual production has increased from 4 Tcf to 7.5 Tcf.
The basins are now entering a new era of development
With this new efficiency, the region has become recognized as entering a “second wave” of growth, supported by technological improvements in well design and completions, greater pipeline connectivity, and growing LNG export-linked demand.
As of mid-2025, 34 rigs were actively drilling across the basins (19 Marcellus, 15 Utica), showing steady activity levels.
The current challenge is that, despite fewer rigs and higher output levels, it remains difficult to retain a highly skilled workforce. New technologies and project requirements demand qualified, skilled people, but many of these experienced professionals are already fully employed. That means employers now compete for a smaller pool of specialists, especially those with multi-disciplinary experience.
What types of roles are in most demand?
With changing production methods and broader energy market needs, the types of roles in highest demand are evolving. While drilling and completions remain central, companies now require workers who can operate in more integrated, technology-supported environments.
Technical and Field Jobs
- Drilling engineers and supervisors
- Completion engineers and frac supervisors
- Production engineers and operations specialists
- Wellsite geologists and geosteering professionals
- Drilling and completions managers
- Safety/HSE advisors
These roles are essential because new wells are increasingly targeted at deeper zones, requiring careful control over drilling paths and pressure systems. For example, developers drilling into the deeper parts of the Utica have reported production levels of 20-25 MMcf/d in areas once thought uneconomic.
Midstream and Infrastructure Roles
- Pipeline engineers
- Compressor station technicians
- Construction managers
- Environmental permitting staff
Pipeline development has been one of the most significant factors driving job growth in the region. Some pipelines are advancing steadily, while others face regulatory delays, but long-term demand remains to connect networks and facilities.
These midstream expansions are also directly tied to the power needs of new AI‑driven data centers, which rely on natural gas-fired generation to support high-load computing operations.
Environmental and ESG-Focused Roles
Increasingly important roles include:
- Air and water compliance specialists
- Environmental engineers
- Carbon capture and gas processing technicians
As companies improve emissions performance, workers with environmental awareness and monitoring experience are becoming essential.
What does this mean for job seekers?
For skilled workers, the Marcellus and Utica basins continue to offer long-term stability and competitive compensation.
Experience in modern well design, production monitoring, and digital operations is now highly regarded, and career pathways are expanding to include areas such as data management, carbon reduction, and infrastructure optimization.
Professionals who combine technical expertise with an understanding of environmental compliance or project planning are likely to remain in high demand.
What does this mean for employers?
Employers face a more complex hiring environment than during the initial shale expansion. The combination of project-specific expertise, regional experience, and safety performance has narrowed the pool of suitable candidates.
To maintain efficiency and meet project timelines, many operators turn to dedicated recruitment partners who understand local talent markets and the specific skill requirements within each phase of development.
Planning workforce needs early, especially before new projects reach the construction or completion stage, is a key part of project success.
FAQs
Why is natural gas development increasing in the Marcellus and Utica Basins?
Coal plant retirements, new pipeline projects, and advances in drilling technology are creating steady growth. Together, these factors are expected to production toward 35 Bfc/d by 2025, making the region one of North America’s most important energy hubs.
What jobs are most in demand in the Appalachian Basin?
Companies are hiring across drilling, midstream, and environmental roles. Engineers, pipeline technicians, and compliance specialists are especially sought after as operations become more complex and environmental standards tighten.
How is today’s workforce different from the first shale boom?
During the early boom, large crews focused on high‑volume drilling. Now, operators rely on smaller, highly skilled teams who can manage advanced well designs, integrated infrastructure, and stricter safety and environmental requirements.
What opportunities exist for job seekers?
Skilled professionals can expect long-term stability, competitive pay, and career growth in areas like digital operations, carbon reduction, and infrastructure optimization.
How can employers plan workforce needs effectively?
Employers should plan early, especially before projects reach construction or completion stages, and often partner with recruitment agencies like Bedrock to secure specialized talent.
Working with Bedrock
Bedrock is a leading oil & gas recruitment agency, delivering tailored workforce solutions across the Appalachian Basin’s Marcellus and Utica shale formations. We support operators, EPCs, and service companies with contract staffing, direct hire, and payroll services, built on extensive industry insight and a commitment to long-term workforce development.
For professionals, we connect your skills and career goals with high-impact projects in exploration, production, and midstream infrastructure.
- Employers: Learn more about our Marcellus and Utica recruitment solutions
- Candidates: Explore our current opportunities through our job search page
Let Bedrock help you build your team, or your future, in one of America’s most dynamic energy regions.