Highest-paying jobs in West Virginia
Answer
Nurse Anesthetists have the highest median pay in West Virginia, $278,530 a year, followed by chief executives ($151,950) and computer and information systems managers ($139,820). The median for all jobs in West Virginia is $45,300, 49th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 42nd.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $45,300
- 49th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $21.78
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 89.5
- Median worth $50,616 at US prices (42nd)
- Jobs
- 701,610
- 580 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in West Virginia, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for West Virginia are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in West Virginia
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse Anesthetists | $278,530 | $133.91 | 740 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 2 | Chief Executives | $151,950 | $73.05 | 1,700 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $139,820 | $67.22 | 1,100 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Pharmacists | $133,430 | $64.15 | 2,260 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Physician Assistants | $128,610 | $61.83 | 1,080 | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| 6 | Nurse Practitioners | $127,320 | $61.21 | 2,550 | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| 7 | Software Developers | $121,000 | $58.18 | 2,650 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Human Resources Managers | $120,020 | $57.70 | 510 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Electrical Engineers | $113,420 | $54.53 | 500 | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Financial Managers | $113,140 | $54.40 | 2,610 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Medical and Health Services Managers | $112,010 | $53.85 | 2,080 | $123,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Industrial Production Managers | $111,760 | $53.73 | 1,000 | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Industrial Engineers | $108,360 | $52.10 | 850 | $102,440 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Lawyers | $102,420 | $49.24 | 2,440 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 15 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $98,230 | $47.23 | 530 | $107,230 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Management Analysts | $97,470 | $46.86 | 1,740 | $101,860 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Mechanical Engineers | $97,390 | $46.82 | 760 | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $97,230 | $46.75 | 760 | $104,920 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Physical Therapists | $96,600 | $46.44 | 1,310 | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 20 | Occupational Therapists | $96,190 | $46.25 | 700 | $100,330 | Master's degree |
| 21 | Construction Managers | $95,740 | $46.03 | 600 | $114,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 22 | Facilities Managers | $95,050 | $45.70 | 610 | $106,660 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Sales Managers | $94,830 | $45.59 | 1,110 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Project Management Specialists | $91,780 | $44.13 | 2,520 | $102,320 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $89,690 | $43.12 | 1,270 | $74,330 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Highest-paying jobs in West Virginia without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $98,230 | $47.23 | 530 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $89,690 | $43.12 | 1,270 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $83,810 | $40.29 | 1,260 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $80,060 | $38.49 | 5,380 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Roof Bolters, Mining | $79,400 | $38.17 | 970 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $79,000 | $37.98 | 610 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Continuous Mining Machine Operators | $77,570 | $37.29 | 720 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $76,080 | $36.58 | 1,920 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $74,950 | $36.04 | 1,250 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Sheet Metal Workers | $72,390 | $34.81 | 540 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $71,360 | $34.31 | 4,070 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $68,990 | $33.17 | 3,120 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $67,290 | $32.35 | 1,340 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $66,060 | $31.76 | 1,190 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Electricians | $64,810 | $31.16 | 4,290 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in West Virginia
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Nurses | 23,430 | $80,130 | $38.52 | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 19,050 | $28,950 | $13.92 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 18,890 | $28,010 | $13.47 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Cashiers | 17,360 | $26,370 | $12.68 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Cooks, Fast Food | 16,490 | $23,120 | $11.12 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | General and Operations Managers | 15,300 | $82,500 | $39.66 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 12,520 | $34,510 | $16.59 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 12,190 | $49,480 | $23.79 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 9 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 11,300 | $36,990 | $17.79 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Customer Service Representatives | 9,860 | $38,430 | $18.48 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Office Clerks, General | 9,430 | $35,020 | $16.84 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Nursing Assistants | 9,390 | $36,720 | $17.66 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 13 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 9,340 | $30,980 | $14.90 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 8,820 | $40,370 | $19.41 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Waiters and Waitresses | 8,600 | $35,380 | $17.01 | No formal educational credential |
| 16 | Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | 8,060 | $38,890 | $18.70 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | 7,830 | $51,300 | $24.66 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 18 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 7,620 | $42,890 | $20.62 | Some college, no degree |
| 19 | First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 7,420 | $39,740 | $19.11 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 6,900 | $53,660 | $25.80 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in West Virginia
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roof Bolters, Mining | 99.8× | 970 | $79,400 |
| 2 | Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | 46.6× | 1,250 | $74,950 |
| 3 | Continuous Mining Machine Operators | 11.4× | 720 | $77,570 |
| 4 | Wellhead Pumpers | 8.2× | 660 | $52,170 |
| 5 | Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | 6.3× | 610 | $22,080 |
| 6 | Cooks, Fast Food | 5.7× | 16,490 | $23,120 |
| 7 | Tree Trimmers and Pruners | 5.7× | 1,420 | $49,140 |
| 8 | Conveyor Operators and Tenders | 5.6× | 580 | $62,830 |
| 9 | Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | 4.8× | 750 | $52,590 |
| 10 | Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | 4.2× | 650 | $61,330 |
| 11 | Social Science Research Assistants | 4.0× | 550 | $51,140 |
| 12 | Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan | 3.7× | 2,480 | $36,480 |
What 123 careers pay in West Virginia
Click a heading to sort
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $597,740 | 2 | $667,888 | $358,550 | 120 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist | $471,650 | 9 | $527,001 | $420,860 | 360 |
| Pathologist | $400,070 | 2 | $447,021 | $312,400 | 50 |
| OB-GYN | $300,810 | 26 | $336,112 | $292,910 | 100 |
| CRNA | $278,530 | 8 | $311,217 | $236,590 | 740 |
| Dentist | $170,370 | 23 | $190,364 | $170,950 | 420 |
| Pediatrician | $158,470 | 47 | $177,067 | $210,040 | 140 |
| Pharmacist | $133,430 | 47 | $149,089 | $140,910 | 2,260 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,210 | 7 | $144,374 | $125,040 | 160 |
| Veterinarian | $128,990 | 20 | $144,128 | $130,100 | 390 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,610 | 42 | $143,703 | $135,880 | 1,080 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,320 | 42 | $142,262 | $132,300 | 2,550 |
| Network Engineer | $122,520 | 31 | $136,898 | $134,050 | 360 |
| Software Engineer | $121,000 | 37 | $135,200 | $135,980 | 2,650 |
| HR Manager | $120,020 | 42 | $134,105 | $149,280 | 510 |
| Optometrist | $118,010 | 45 | $131,859 | $136,570 | 150 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,420 | 21 | $126,731 | $120,630 | 500 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $112,010 | 32 | $125,155 | $123,860 | 2,080 |
| Commercial Pilot | $105,950 | 27 | $118,384 | $123,220 | 40 |
| Lawyer | $102,420 | 46 | $114,440 | $159,670 | 2,440 |
| Marketing Manager | $98,750 | 48 | $110,339 | $166,790 | 300 |
| Business Analyst | $97,470 | 30 | $108,909 | $101,860 | 1,740 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,390 | 43 | $108,819 | $104,110 | 760 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,600 | 48 | $107,937 | $102,760 | 1,310 |
| Architect | $96,470 | 32 | $107,791 | $99,280 | 80 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,190 | 36 | $107,478 | $100,330 | 700 |
| Construction Manager | $95,740 | 49 | $106,976 | $114,990 | 600 |
| Detective | $92,410 | 21 | $103,255 | $93,790 | 220 |
| Project Manager | $91,780 | 39 | $102,551 | $102,320 | 2,520 |
| Nutritionist | $89,440 | 2 | $99,936 | $76,400 | 520 |
| Civil Engineer | $86,930 | 49 | $97,132 | $100,840 | 1,300 |
| Data Scientist | $85,090 | 45 | $95,076 | $120,230 | 390 |
| Lineman | $83,810 | 37 | $93,646 | $95,320 | 1,260 |
| Chiropractor | $83,160 | 14 | $92,919 | $79,200 | 60 |
| Operations Manager | $82,500 | 47 | $92,182 | $105,770 | 15,300 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $80,970 | 44 | $90,472 | $97,870 | 880 |
| Meteorologist | $80,690 | 39 | $90,159 | $99,070 | 40 |
| School Principal | $80,650 | 51 | $90,115 | $105,870 | 1,480 |
| MRI Technician | $80,490 | 45 | $89,936 | $95,480 | 190 |
| Registered Nurse | $80,130 | 45 | $89,534 | $97,550 | 23,430 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $80,130 | 45 | $89,534 | $97,550 | 23,430 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $80,130 | 45 | $89,534 | $97,550 | 23,430 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $80,130 | 45 | $89,534 | $97,550 | 23,430 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $80,130 | 45 | $89,534 | $97,550 | 23,430 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $80,130 | 45 | $89,534 | $97,550 | 23,430 |
| Financial Advisor | $80,010 | 38 | $89,400 | $105,070 | 670 |
| Audiologist | $79,990 | 47 | $89,377 | $95,780 | 120 |
| Web Developer | $78,240 | 31 | $87,422 | $92,650 | 400 |
| Psychologist | $77,040 | 42 | $86,081 | $100,580 | 920 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $76,820 | 49 | $85,835 | $96,590 | 780 |
| School Psychologist | $75,220 | 39 | $84,048 | $95,990 | 250 |
| Radiology Technician | $74,150 | 39 | $82,852 | $80,110 | 1,810 |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,840 | 48 | $82,506 | $98,100 | 1,250 |
| Accountant | $73,320 | 48 | $81,925 | $83,680 | 4,900 |
| UX Designer | $71,880 | 32 | $80,316 | $104,000 | 200 |
| Radiation Therapist | $71,590 | 46 | $79,992 | $105,310 | 120 |
| Financial Analyst | $69,030 | 51 | $77,131 | $102,740 | 400 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,670 | 48 | $76,729 | $82,280 | 1,140 |
| Claims Adjuster | $67,290 | 46 | $75,187 | $78,000 | 1,340 |
| HR Specialist | $66,860 | 39 | $74,706 | $75,940 | 3,130 |
| Electrician | $64,810 | 26 | $72,416 | $63,190 | 4,290 |
| Neurologist | $63,500 | 24 | $70,952 | $248,560 | 60 |
| Forensic Scientist | $63,330 | 28 | $70,762 | $72,060 | 110 |
| Psychiatrist | $63,320 | 46 | $70,751 | $281,870 | 90 |
| Judge | $63,240 | 38 | $70,662 | $153,990 | 350 |
| TSA Officer | $63,130 | 33 | $70,539 | $66,770 | 90 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $61,810 | 27 | $69,064 | $62,930 | 1,800 |
| Chef | $61,100 | 30 | $68,270 | $62,470 | 350 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $60,430 | 49 | $67,522 | $68,380 | 980 |
| Real Estate Agent | $59,050 | 17 | $65,980 | $52,830 | 370 |
| Paralegal | $59,000 | 35 | $65,924 | $62,890 | 1,660 |
| Mail Carrier | $57,700 | 50 | $64,471 | $60,550 | 1,850 |
| Loan Officer | $57,580 | 51 | $64,337 | $76,690 | 1,290 |
| Plumber | $56,980 | 45 | $63,667 | $63,800 | 1,830 |
| Police Officer | $56,960 | 47 | $63,645 | $76,210 | 2,900 |
| Court Reporter | $56,790 | 32 | $63,455 | $72,420 | 90 |
| High School Teacher | $56,610 | 48 | $63,254 | $72,040 | 3,590 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $55,700 | 34 | $62,237 | $66,940 | 90 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $55,630 | 45 | $62,159 | $63,970 | 5,420 |
| School Counselor | $55,520 | 48 | $62,036 | $64,330 | 1,260 |
| LPN | $55,360 | 49 | $61,857 | $64,400 | 6,050 |
| IT Support Specialist | $55,350 | 43 | $61,846 | $61,860 | 2,250 |
| Train Conductor | $55,180 | 32 | $61,656 | $78,000 | 320 |
| Crane Operator | $54,830 | 47 | $61,265 | $68,080 | 170 |
| Correctional Officer | $52,890 | 30 | $59,097 | $58,940 | 2,980 |
| Athletic Trainer | $50,510 | 49 | $56,438 | $62,520 | 110 |
| Interior Designer | $49,800 | 48 | $55,644 | $67,190 | 90 |
| Truck Driver | $49,480 | 50 | $55,287 | $58,640 | 12,190 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $49,430 | 48 | $55,231 | $59,350 | 2,100 |
| Surgical Technician | $49,110 | 51 | $54,873 | $64,650 | 580 |
| Substitute Teacher | $49,020 | 8 | $54,773 | $41,670 | 4,840 |
| HVAC Technician | $48,850 | 48 | $54,583 | $61,010 | 1,690 |
| Welder | $48,810 | 47 | $54,538 | $53,750 | 2,100 |
| Carpenter | $48,710 | 46 | $54,426 | $60,580 | 3,670 |
| Paramedic | $48,460 | 50 | $54,147 | $60,600 | 1,090 |
| Mortician | $47,960 | 34 | $53,588 | $55,010 | 180 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $47,360 | 44 | $52,918 | $51,140 | 1,260 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $46,610 | 51 | $52,080 | $61,770 | 1,040 |
| Massage Therapist | $46,600 | 44 | $52,069 | $58,450 | 250 |
| Private Investigator | $46,410 | 35 | $51,856 | $51,220 | 170 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $45,910 | 49 | $51,298 | $74,310 | 350 |
| Insurance Agent | $45,480 | 50 | $50,817 | $62,280 | 1,430 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $45,470 | 50 | $50,806 | $79,870 | 590 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $44,830 | 38 | $50,091 | $47,700 | 530 |
| Librarian | $42,980 | 51 | $48,024 | $68,270 | 610 |
| Construction Worker | $42,670 | 43 | $47,678 | $47,120 | 6,620 |
| Graphic Designer | $40,350 | 51 | $45,085 | $62,960 | 520 |
| Bus Driver | $39,260 | 48 | $43,867 | $59,050 | 520 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,250 | 41 | $43,856 | $45,230 | 1,530 |
| Nail Technician | $38,260 | 12 | $42,750 | $35,760 | 120 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,210 | 51 | $42,694 | $45,750 | 3,560 |
| Personal Trainer | $38,120 | 43 | $42,594 | $47,160 | 500 |
| Esthetician | $38,030 | 43 | $42,493 | $45,330 | 80 |
| Dental Assistant | $37,960 | 49 | $42,415 | $48,070 | 1,290 |
| Vet Tech | $37,700 | 48 | $42,124 | $47,380 | 400 |
| Auto Mechanic | $37,660 | 51 | $42,080 | $50,620 | 4,490 |
| Firefighter | $37,350 | 47 | $41,733 | $59,280 | 900 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,180 | 48 | $41,543 | $45,690 | 4,540 |
| CNA | $36,720 | 46 | $41,029 | $42,260 | 9,390 |
| Garbage Collector | $35,840 | 48 | $40,046 | $49,690 | 1,000 |
| Cosmetologist | $34,480 | 30 | $38,526 | $35,790 | 1,020 |
| EMT | $34,360 | 50 | $38,392 | $44,470 | 900 |
| Bartender | $29,630 | 28 | $33,107 | $34,340 | 3,340 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.