[1][2] Wang worked in various capacities in the railway system before entering politics in 2003 as the deputy party chief of Gansu province.

He was then transferred to work for the Ministry of Railways, where he served as head of the political department.

[2] He is, however, listed as having received a graduate degree from the Central Party School in economic management in 1998, during his tenure as head of the Hohhot Railway Bureau.

He was transferred yet again in August 2010 to Heilongjiang province, where he was appointed acting governor, succeeding Li Zhanshu.

In March 2013 he was promoted to Party Secretary of Heilongjiang, succeeding Ji Bingxuan, who became a Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress.