Viktor Orlov was born on 22 March 1940 to a working-class family in the Ninth Village of Chernogorsk.

As a graduate, Orlov's thesis work received a silver medal from Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy.

From 1978 to 1979, he was a chief geologist of the search and survey team of the Shalynskaya expedition of the West Siberian Geological Administration.

From 1984 to 1986, he studied at the full-time department of the Academy of National Economy under the Council of Ministers of the USSR.

[1] After completing his studies, he received the specialty "Economics and Management of the National Economy" and a diploma with honors.

From 1990 to 1991, he was the First Deputy Chairman of the RSFSR State Committee for Geology and the Use of Fuel, Energy and Mineral Resources.

On 24 January 2001, Orlov became the representative in the Federation Council from the executive authority of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug.