Highest paying jobs in Charleston, WV
The best paying occupations in the Charleston, WV metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 11.3% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianCharleston, WV | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $619,320 | $124,950 – $638,860 | 60 |
| 2 | RadiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $482,670 | $102,010 – $482,670 | 60 |
| 3 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $344,250 | $181,670 – $423,270 | 90 |
| 4 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $285,470 | $153,960 – $328,330 | 180 |
| 5 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $280,250 | $231,640 – $290,670 | 220 |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $165,690 | $103,690 – $226,410 | 70 |
| 7 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $161,540 | $67,320 – $368,000 | 240 |
| 8 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $152,980 | $128,770 – $302,070 | 70 |
| 9 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $143,860 | $87,010 – $171,210 | 160 |
| 10 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $131,660 | $80,400 – $167,800 | 340 |
| 11 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $131,210 | $81,300 – $131,210 | 70 |
| 12 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $129,260 | $101,220 – $158,830 | 370 |
| 13 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $129,250 | $89,680 – $159,280 | 60 |
| 14 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $126,620 | $88,160 – $164,450 | 190 |
| 15 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $125,470 | $79,990 – $275,590 | 280 |
| 16 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $122,980 | $72,380 – $168,620 | 350 |
| 17 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $119,900 | $57,190 – $154,140 | 130 |
| 18 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $116,300 | $76,740 – $179,430 | 450 |
| 19 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $112,140 | $59,630 – $189,160 | 50 |
| 20 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $107,960 | $63,480 – $159,380 | 110 |
| 21 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $107,490 | $62,740 – $205,980 | — |
| 22 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,920 | $77,690 – $176,590 | 80 |
| 23 | Database ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $104,570 | $60,930 – $164,870 | 30 |
| 24 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and MagistratesDoctoral or professional degree | $103,940 | $63,240 – $149,590 | 40 |
| 25 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $103,760 | $75,180 – $139,050 | 140 |
| 26 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $101,560 | $71,960 – $169,130 | 170 |
| 27 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $101,150 | $67,170 – $202,040 | 880 |
| 28 | Labor Relations SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $98,380 | $79,460 – $125,360 | 140 |
| 29 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $98,050 | $62,780 – $155,880 | 60 |
| 30 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $96,990 | $52,580 – $129,470 | 150 |
| 31 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All OtherAssociate's degree | $96,510 | $67,200 – $127,850 | 90 |
| 32 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $96,050 | $45,020 – $675,730 | 140 |
| 33 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $94,810 | $51,640 – $136,990 | 280 |
| 34 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $94,210 | $63,130 – $156,240 | 230 |
| 35 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,410 | $50,270 – $166,860 | 80 |
| 36 | Dietitians and NutritionistsBachelor's degree | $92,390 | $63,110 – $92,400 | 90 |
| 37 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $91,920 | $56,290 – $196,010 | 170 |
| 38 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $91,520 | $60,180 – $116,580 | 80 |
| 39 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $89,600 | $54,280 – $142,810 | 390 |
| 40 | Petroleum EngineersBachelor's degree | $88,860 | $79,780 – $196,510 | 80 |
| 41 | ChemistsBachelor's degree | $88,640 | $51,670 – $126,500 | 30 |
| 42 | Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree | $88,250 | $48,840 – $116,080 | 50 |
| 43 | Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsAssociate's degree | $86,780 | $67,090 – $101,840 | 30 |
| 44 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $86,060 | $47,090 – $140,410 | 130 |
| 45 | Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $85,790 | $60,520 – $118,690 | 100 |
| 46 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $85,510 | $57,710 – $104,050 | 40 |
| 47 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $85,240 | $65,670 – $153,410 | 130 |
| 48 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $84,770 | $49,060 – $188,830 | 40 |
| 49 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety EngineersBachelor's degree | $84,450 | $59,990 – $134,750 | 70 |
| 50 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $84,240 | $53,200 – $152,860 | 90 |