West Virginia minimum wage (2026)
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 an hour – $18,200 a year for full-time work. Compare it with what common jobs in West Virginia actually pay.
West Virginia minimum wage$8.75/hr
Applies to employers with 6 or more employees at one location.
Full-time minimum-wage pay
Gross pay before taxes for a full-time job at $8.75/hr.
Typical pay in West Virginia
701,610 jobs$21.78/hr$45,300 a year
The minimum wage equals 40% of the state's median hourly wage.
What common jobs pay in West Virginia
Median wage in West Virginia for its most common jobs (BLS, May 2025).
23,430 jobs in West Virginia$38.52/hrRetail Salespersons
19,050 jobs in West Virginia$13.92/hrHome Health and Personal Care Aides
18,890 jobs in West Virginia$13.47/hrCashiers
17,360 jobs in West Virginia$12.68/hrCooks, Fast Food
16,490 jobs in West Virginia$11.12/hrGeneral and Operations Managers
15,300 jobs in West Virginia$39.66/hrStockers and Order Fillers
12,520 jobs in West Virginia$16.59/hrHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
12,190 jobs in West Virginia$23.79/hrLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
11,300 jobs in West Virginia$17.79/hrCustomer Service Representatives
9,860 jobs in West Virginia$18.48/hr
Nearby in the ranking
All states ranked ›Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws and the West Virginia labor department (rates, checked October 28, 2026); BLS OEWS (wages). Local and tipped rates are not shown.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum wage in West Virginia in 2026?
West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75 an hour. Applies to employers with 6 or more employees at one location.
Is West Virginia's minimum wage going up?
No statewide increase is scheduled as of October 28, 2026.
How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in West Virginia per year?
At $8.75 an hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) comes to $18,200 a year before taxes, or about $350.00 a week.
What is the typical wage in West Virginia?
The median wage for all jobs in West Virginia was $21.78 an hour ($45,300 a year) in May 2025, according to BLS. The minimum wage is 40% of that.
Can my city have a higher minimum wage?
Yes, if West Virginia allows local minimum wages, a city or county can set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever rate is highest: federal, state or local. Check your city's labor office.