Jobs that actually got a raise in West Virginia

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average (2024), so a West Virginia salary is worth about 1.12× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in West Virginia.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in West Virginia

OccupationMedian, West Virginia · Real change since 2019

1Labor Relations Specialists$88,020
Bachelor's degree
$65,500 – $135,250+226.8%+311.5% nominal
2Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$65,260
Doctoral or professional degree
$44,850 – $103,480+133.2%+193.7% nominal
3Family Medicine Physicians$272,680
Doctoral or professional degree
$62,810 – $423,270+74.2%+119.4% nominal
4Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$65,050
Bachelor's degree
$47,840 – $70,790+63.2%+105.5% nominal
5Education Teachers, Postsecondary$63,270
Doctoral or professional degree
$45,310 – $99,210+57.2%+97.9% nominal
6Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$73,880
Doctoral or professional degree
$49,880 – $128,240+50.2%+89.1% nominal
7Business Teachers, Postsecondary$104,480
Doctoral or professional degree
$56,670 – $206,080+49.9%+88.7% nominal
8English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$63,280
Doctoral or professional degree
$40,890 – $99,190+42.0%+78.9% nominal
9Waiters and Waitresses$35,380
No formal educational credential
$20,230 – $60,560+36.5%+71.8% nominal
10Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$73,280
Master's degree
$51,280 – $99,250+36.0%+71.2% nominal
11Helpers--Extraction Workers$77,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,970 – $77,230+35.5%+70.6% nominal
12Meter Readers, Utilities$59,430
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,650 – $86,880+31.5%+65.5% nominal
13Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$34,480
Postsecondary nondegree award
$23,580 – $60,300+31.4%+65.5% nominal
14Print Binding and Finishing Workers$41,340
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,750 – $62,450+30.8%+64.8% nominal
15Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,100
Bachelor's degree
$51,520 – $119,020+26.5%+59.3% nominal
16Counter and Rental Clerks$34,780
No formal educational credential
$22,580 – $48,140+22.7%+54.5% nominal
17Correctional Officers and Jailers$52,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,390 – $75,610+20.6%+51.9% nominal
18Psychiatric Technicians$34,100
Postsecondary nondegree award
$30,130 – $44,270+20.0%+51.1% nominal
19Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$55,360
Postsecondary nondegree award
$45,690 – $70,960+19.6%+50.6% nominal
20Library Assistants, Clerical$30,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,380 – $36,840+19.1%+50.0% nominal
21Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$46,410
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,830 – $58,120+18.4%+49.0% nominal
22Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$74,150
Associate's degree
$56,270 – $95,510+18.3%+49.0% nominal
23Instructional Coordinators$69,600
Master's degree
$42,110 – $100,370+17.8%+48.4% nominal
24Self-Enrichment Teachers$45,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$22,720 – $63,820+17.1%+47.4% nominal
25Nurse Anesthetists$278,530
Master's degree
$226,300 – $380,340+17.1%+47.4% nominal
26Dietitians and Nutritionists$89,440
Bachelor's degree
$55,350 – $103,130+16.8%+47.1% nominal
27Roofers$51,170
No formal educational credential
$28,660 – $69,820+15.6%+45.5% nominal
28Bartenders$29,630
No formal educational credential
$19,900 – $64,280+15.6%+45.5% nominal
29Rehabilitation Counselors$48,050
Master's degree
$28,810 – $64,240+15.4%+45.3% nominal
30Veterinarians$128,990
Doctoral or professional degree
$54,830 – $201,910+15.3%+45.2% nominal
31Millwrights$67,270
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,120 – $82,910+15.3%+45.1% nominal
32Medical Equipment Repairers$47,090
Associate's degree
$35,920 – $81,360+15.1%+45.0% nominal
33Highway Maintenance Workers$45,260
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,440 – $53,910+14.9%+44.7% nominal
34Child, Family, and School Social Workers$52,220
Bachelor's degree
$38,410 – $66,980+14.8%+44.6% nominal
35Nursing Assistants$36,720
Postsecondary nondegree award
$31,060 – $45,290+14.4%+44.1% nominal
36Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$41,060
Bachelor's degree
$30,580 – $68,200+14.4%+44.0% nominal
37Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$39,030
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,090 – $63,250+14.2%+43.8% nominal
38Massage Therapists$46,600
Postsecondary nondegree award
$22,450 – $82,950+13.9%+43.4% nominal
39Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers$97,960
Bachelor's degree
$64,010 – $136,650+13.8%+43.3% nominal
40Public Safety Telecommunicators$40,490
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,060 – $52,940+13.4%+42.8% nominal
41Telemarketers$33,370
No formal educational credential
$21,770 – $34,830+13.0%+42.2% nominal
42Packers and Packagers, Hand$28,740
No formal educational credential
$21,970 – $44,480+12.8%+42.1% nominal
43Dentists, General$170,370
Doctoral or professional degree
$96,270 – $362,930+12.5%+41.7% nominal
44Maintenance Workers, Machinery$60,020
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,370 – $88,750+12.2%+41.3% nominal
45Community Health Workers$37,950
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,480 – $56,840+10.9%+39.7% nominal
46Production Workers, All Other$39,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,460 – $59,160+10.6%+39.3% nominal
47Floral Designers$29,860
High school diploma or equivalent
$22,580 – $38,760+10.4%+39.1% nominal
48Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$50,070
Master's degree
$38,410 – $70,190+10.3%+38.9% nominal
49Dietetic Technicians$35,210
Associate's degree
$26,450 – $37,100+10.2%+38.7% nominal
50Driver/Sales Workers$28,790
High school diploma or equivalent
$18,760 – $58,410+10.2%+38.8% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianWest Virginia	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Labor Relations SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$88,020	$65,500 – $135,250	+226.8%+311.5% nominal
2	Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree	$65,260	$44,850 – $103,480	+133.2%+193.7% nominal
3	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$272,680	$62,810 – $423,270	+74.2%+119.4% nominal
4	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsBachelor's degree	$65,050	$47,840 – $70,790	+63.2%+105.5% nominal
5	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$63,270	$45,310 – $99,210	+57.2%+97.9% nominal
6	Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$73,880	$49,880 – $128,240	+50.2%+89.1% nominal
7	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$104,480	$56,670 – $206,080	+49.9%+88.7% nominal
8	English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$63,280	$40,890 – $99,190	+42.0%+78.9% nominal
9	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$35,380	$20,230 – $60,560	+36.5%+71.8% nominal
10	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$73,280	$51,280 – $99,250	+36.0%+71.2% nominal
11	Helpers--Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$77,180	$36,970 – $77,230	+35.5%+70.6% nominal
12	Meter Readers, UtilitiesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,430	$36,650 – $86,880	+31.5%+65.5% nominal
13	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$34,480	$23,580 – $60,300	+31.4%+65.5% nominal
14	Print Binding and Finishing WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41,340	$37,750 – $62,450	+30.8%+64.8% nominal
15	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree	$82,100	$51,520 – $119,020	+26.5%+59.3% nominal
16	Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential	$34,780	$22,580 – $48,140	+22.7%+54.5% nominal
17	Correctional Officers and JailersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$52,890	$45,390 – $75,610	+20.6%+51.9% nominal
18	Psychiatric TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$34,100	$30,130 – $44,270	+20.0%+51.1% nominal
19	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$55,360	$45,690 – $70,960	+19.6%+50.6% nominal
20	Library Assistants, ClericalHigh school diploma or equivalent	$30,800	$26,380 – $36,840	+19.1%+50.0% nominal
21	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,410	$35,830 – $58,120	+18.4%+49.0% nominal
22	Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$74,150	$56,270 – $95,510	+18.3%+49.0% nominal
23	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$69,600	$42,110 – $100,370	+17.8%+48.4% nominal
24	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,010	$22,720 – $63,820	+17.1%+47.4% nominal
25	Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree	$278,530	$226,300 – $380,340	+17.1%+47.4% nominal
26	Dietitians and NutritionistsBachelor's degree	$89,440	$55,350 – $103,130	+16.8%+47.1% nominal
27	RoofersNo formal educational credential	$51,170	$28,660 – $69,820	+15.6%+45.5% nominal
28	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$29,630	$19,900 – $64,280	+15.6%+45.5% nominal
29	Rehabilitation CounselorsMaster's degree	$48,050	$28,810 – $64,240	+15.4%+45.3% nominal
30	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$128,990	$54,830 – $201,910	+15.3%+45.2% nominal
31	MillwrightsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$67,270	$49,120 – $82,910	+15.3%+45.1% nominal
32	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$47,090	$35,920 – $81,360	+15.1%+45.0% nominal
33	Highway Maintenance WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,260	$31,440 – $53,910	+14.9%+44.7% nominal
34	Child, Family, and School Social WorkersBachelor's degree	$52,220	$38,410 – $66,980	+14.8%+44.6% nominal
35	Nursing AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$36,720	$31,060 – $45,290	+14.4%+44.1% nominal
36	Community and Social Service Specialists, All OtherBachelor's degree	$41,060	$30,580 – $68,200	+14.4%+44.0% nominal
37	Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,030	$26,090 – $63,250	+14.2%+43.8% nominal
38	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$46,600	$22,450 – $82,950	+13.9%+43.4% nominal
39	Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersBachelor's degree	$97,960	$64,010 – $136,650	+13.8%+43.3% nominal
40	Public Safety TelecommunicatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,490	$30,060 – $52,940	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
41	TelemarketersNo formal educational credential	$33,370	$21,770 – $34,830	+13.0%+42.2% nominal
42	Packers and Packagers, HandNo formal educational credential	$28,740	$21,970 – $44,480	+12.8%+42.1% nominal
43	Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree	$170,370	$96,270 – $362,930	+12.5%+41.7% nominal
44	Maintenance Workers, MachineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,020	$38,370 – $88,750	+12.2%+41.3% nominal
45	Community Health WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,950	$29,480 – $56,840	+10.9%+39.7% nominal
46	Production Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,500	$28,460 – $59,160	+10.6%+39.3% nominal
47	Floral DesignersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$29,860	$22,580 – $38,760	+10.4%+39.1% nominal
48	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMaster's degree	$50,070	$38,410 – $70,190	+10.3%+38.9% nominal
49	Dietetic TechniciansAssociate's degree	$35,210	$26,450 – $37,100	+10.2%+38.7% nominal
50	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$28,790	$18,760 – $58,410	+10.2%+38.8% nominal

More for West Virginia

Metro areas in West Virginia

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in West Virginia

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in West Virginia to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in West Virginia

More for West Virginia

Metro areas in West Virginia

By field in West Virginia

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state