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HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in West Virginia

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$8.75

What is the minimum wage in West Virginia?

The current West Virginia minimum wage is $8.75 per hour. This rate applies to all workers in the state, regardless of their industry or occupation.

There have been several attempts to raise the West Virginia minimum wage in recent years, but so far none of these efforts have been successful. In 2016, a bill was introduced in the state legislature that would have raised the West Virginia minimum wage to $9.50 per hour, but it did not pass.

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$25.10

What is the average wage in West Virginia?

The average wage in West Virginia is $25.10 per hour or $52,200 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, it's important to note that the average wage varies depending on the occupation and industry.
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$29.99

What is the living wage in West Virginia?

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

A guide to hourly labor laws in West Virginia

Verified by Legal Counsel Brooke Davis

  • Final Paychecks: By the next regular payday (W. Va. Code § 21-5-4).
  • Wage Payment Frequency: At least twice monthly (W. Va. Code § 21-5-3).
  • Paid Sick Leave: No state/federal law. Policies are determined by the employer or through collective bargaining agreements (DoL).
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave: No paid leave. Up to 12 unpaid weeks in one year for eligible employees (FMLA).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children Under 16:
    • General: Must receive a 30-minute break for a five-hour shift.
    • School session: No working during school hours; up to three hours per day and 18 hours per week.
    • Non-school session: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week.
    • Working hours: Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day (W. Va. Code § 21-6-7) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children 16 and 17: No state/federal law restricting work hours beyond required school hours for non-hazardous occupations (W. Va. Code § 21-6-7) (DoL) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
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We're here to help!

A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.

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