Current Minimum Wage in West Virginia
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 per hour as of 2026. This is $1.5 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $8.75 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $70 | 8 |
| Weekly | $350 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $700 | 80 |
| Monthly | $1,517 | ~173 |
| Annual | $18,200 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
Tipped workers in West Virginia can be paid a cash wage of $2.62/hr, with the expectation that tips make up the difference to the full $8.75/hr minimum. If tips don't bring total compensation to the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Scheduled Increases
No scheduled increases beyond $8.75.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $3,140 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (WV)
~$14.25/hr
Based on cost of living index (83.8)
Cost of Living Context
West Virginia's cost of living index is 83.8 (national average = 100). This means living in West Virginia is 16.2% cheaper than the national average. The median hourly wage in West Virginia is $17.52/hr, which is 100% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
Last increase was in 2016. One of the lowest costs of living in the nation.
How This Compares
| Metric | WV | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $8.75 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $2.62 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $18,200 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
West Virginia Average Salary
Median income and top employers in WV
West Virginia Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in WV
Salary Calculator
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Paycheck Calculator
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