West Virginia Minimum Wage 2026
West Virginia's minimum wage of $8.75 in 2026 is below average in the United States, and it is not much higher than than the base federal minimum wage of $7.25 still used in 20 states.
Federal 
West Virginia Assuming a standard 40-hour work week, the weekly minimum wage in West Virginia is $350. For full-time employees working 52 weeks per year, the annual minimum wage in West Virginia is $18.2K.
Based on $8.75/hr minimum
Based on $8.75/hr minimum
The minimum wage rate of West Virginia and its neighboring states ranges from $7.25 to $15, with an average of $10.20. West Virginia, at $8.75, has an above average hourly minimum wage within this group of states. Maryland ($15) and Virginia ($12.77) both have higher hourly rates than West Virginia. Kentucky ($7.25) and Pennsylvania ($7.25) have lower hourly rates than West Virginia.
West Virginia While the general minimum wage is $8.75 per hour in West Virginia, there are exceptions where workers may legally receive less than this amount:
Employers with fewer than 6 employees at one location are exempt from state minimum wage requirements.
Can be paid a lower cash wage (minimum $2.62/hr) as long as tips bring total earnings up to at least the full minimum wage.
Employees working in bona fide executive, administrative, or professional roles are exempt from minimum wage requirements.
Employees primarily engaged in sales away from the employer’s place of business are exempt from minimum wage requirements.
West Virginia's cost of living index for 2025 is 88.3, which places it as the 50th most expensive state to live in the United States.
National 100
West Virginia 88.3
Assuming a standard 40-hour work week, the real wage in West Virginia, adjusted for the state’s cost of living index of 88.3, is approximately $9.91 per hour. This means that while the nominal minimum wage is $8.75 per hour, the purchasing power of those earnings is higher due to West Virginia's lower cost of living expenses. For full-time employees, the real weekly earnings amount to roughly $396.38, translating to an annual purchasing power of $20,611.55 when working 52 weeks per year.
Adjusted
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According to the most recent data, the median household income in the United States has seen a significant increase in 2023.
West Virginia’s minimum wage is set at the federal minimum wage rate, as the state has not enacted a separate statewide minimum wage law above federal requirements. The applicable wage is therefore determined under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and adjusts only if the federal minimum wage is changed by Congress.
