Epidemiologists Salary
In West Virginia, epidemiologists earn $70,540 at the median, or about $33.91 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $79,232 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 21.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of West Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $71K get you in West Virginia?
About epidemiologists
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for epidemiologists in West Virginia runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $87K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,008/month, 21.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, West Virginia can be a reasonable trade-off for epidemiologistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level epidemiologists (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track epidemiologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a epidemiologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $71K, rent takes 21.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for epidemiologists in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new epidemiologists typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,944/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is epidemiologist a high-paying job in West Virginia?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $71K here vs. $87K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for epidemiologists?
West Virginia pays $71K median vs. the U.S. average of $87K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — below the national median.
How much do epidemiologists make in West Virginia?
The median is $70,540 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,070, and experienced epidemiologists can clear $92,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,607/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 21.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a epidemiologists salary go in West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median epidemiologists salary is worth about $79,232 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do epidemiologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.