West Virginia Minimum Wage Calculator
The West Virginia minimum wage is $8.75/hour. Estimate your take-home pay at minimum wage below.
What is the minimum wage in West Virginia?
The West Virginia minimum wage is $8.75 per hour, which is above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour. Employers in West Virginia must pay at least the state rate, since state law sets a higher floor than the federal minimum.
Does my city in West Virginia matter too?
Some cities and counties within West Virginia may set their own local minimum wage that's higher than the statewide rate shown here. This calculator reflects the statewide minimum; check your specific city or county ordinance for the most accurate local figure.
Minimum wage rates are updated periodically — treat these figures as an estimate and confirm the current rate with West Virginia's labor department.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in West Virginia?
The current West Virginia minimum wage is $8.75 per hour. Use the calculator above to see what that means for your weekly, monthly, and annual pay based on your hours worked.
Is West Virginia's minimum wage above the federal minimum wage?
Yes. West Virginia's minimum wage of $8.75/hour is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, so employers in West Virginia must pay the higher state rate.
How much do you make a year at minimum wage in West Virginia?
Working 40 hours a week at West Virginia's minimum wage of $8.75/hour comes to about $18,200 a year before taxes. Adjust your hours in the calculator above for a more precise figure.
Can cities in West Virginia set a higher minimum wage than the state?
In many cases, yes. Some cities and counties within West Virginia can pass local ordinances setting a minimum wage above the statewide rate shown here. Always check your specific city or county for the most accurate local minimum wage before relying on the statewide figure.
Do tipped workers in West Virginia get the full minimum wage?
In many states, employers can pay tipped workers a lower "tipped minimum wage" as long as tips bring total hourly earnings up to at least West Virginia's standard minimum wage of $8.75/hour. A smaller number of states require the full minimum wage regardless of tips — check West Virginia's specific labor rules for tipped employees.
Is minimum wage enough to live on in West Virginia?
For most households, a single minimum-wage income of about $18,200 a year falls short of covering typical living costs like rent and groceries, particularly in higher cost-of-living areas of West Virginia. This is a key reason many states have raised their minimum well above the federal $7.25 rate.
How often does West Virginia's minimum wage change?
It depends on state law — some states raise their minimum wage automatically each year based on inflation, while others require new legislation for any increase. Check West Virginia's department of labor for the latest scheduled increases.
How does West Virginia's minimum wage compare to other states?
At $8.75/hour, West Virginia sits above the federal minimum of $7.25/hour but below the higher-wage states like California and Washington.