West Virginia wages
South region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, West Virginia has a median annual wage of $43,320 and a mean of $54,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -12.5% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #49 of 51 states by mean wage. About 701,470 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in West Virginia is Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in West Virginia: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in West Virginia for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | West Virginia median | US median | West Virginia jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $103,550 | $133,080 | 2,280 |
| Registered Nurses | $79,990 | $93,600 | 21,740 |
| Electricians | $63,850 | $62,350 | 4,010 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,040 | $57,440 | 11,560 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $74,520 | $81,680 | 5,310 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $55,550 | $62,340 | 6,680 |
| Lawyers | $102,240 | $151,160 | 2,460 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $49,630 | $62,970 | 1,860 |
| Pharmacists | $133,910 | $137,480 | 2,570 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $54,570 | $76,290 | 3,130 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in West Virginia
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in West Virginia, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $249,170 |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $234,960 | $254,790 |
| 3 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $170,750 | $187,000 |
| 4 | Database Architects | $157,590 | $132,690 |
| 5 | Dentists, General | $147,440 | $171,380 |
| 6 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $145,430 | $150,140 |
| 7 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $143,800 | $152,840 |
| 8 | Veterinarians | $134,290 | $135,660 |
| 9 | Pharmacists | $133,910 | $125,530 |
| 10 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $126,770 | $127,500 |
| 11 | Physician Assistants | $122,970 | $121,130 |
| 12 | Nurse Practitioners | $121,640 | $122,140 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in West Virginia?
The median annual wage across all occupations in West Virginia is $43,320 and the mean is $54,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -12.5% versus the US median of $49,500. West Virginia ranks #49 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in West Virginia?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in West Virginia include Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($234,960), Computer and Information Research Scientists ($170,750). See the full list on this page.
Are West Virginia wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. West Virginia's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within West Virginia. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20