Top Paying Jobs in West Virginia
West Virginia has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 81,810 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($491,230), Radiologists ($471,650). The cost of living index is 89.03 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,008/month.
State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
Highest paying careers in West Virginia
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | Science | $82K | $39.47/hr |
| 92 | Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $82K | N/A |
| 93 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $82K | N/A |
| 94 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | Production & Manufacturing | $82K | $39.28/hr |
| 95 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | Science | $81K | $39.17/hr |
| 96 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | Engineering | $81K | $39.1/hr |
| 97 | Speech-Language Pathologists | Healthcare | $81K | $38.93/hr |
| 98 | Orthotists and Prosthetists | Healthcare | $81K | $38.87/hr |
| 99 | Atmospheric and Space Scientists | Science | $81K | $38.8/hr |
| 100 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | Management | $81K | N/A |
Affordability snapshot: West Virginia
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
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Metro areas in West Virginia
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.