West Virginia's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 an hour, $1.50 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $18,200 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $16,213 a year, or $623.56 every two weeks.
What the West Virginia minimum wage pays
| At $8.75 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $8.75 |
| Per 8-hour day | $70.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $350.00 |
| Every two weeks | $700.00 |
| Per month | $1,516.67 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $18,200.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $623.56 |
| Take-home per year | $16,212.56 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and West Virginia income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $9,100 a year and about $8,254 after taxes.
West Virginia minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75 an hour. It applies where an employer has six or more non-exempt employees at one location; smaller workplaces may fall under the federal $7.25 instead. No increase has been officially announced. | WV Division of Labor, Minimum Wage FAQ |
| Tipped employees | Employers may take a 70% tip credit, so tipped workers can be paid a cash wage of $2.62 an hour, as long as cash wage plus reported tips reaches $8.75 an hour. | WV Division of Labor, Minimum Wage FAQ |
| Overtime | State law requires 1.5 times your regular rate for hours over 40 in a seven-day workweek, but only for employers not covered by federal overtime law that have six or more non-exempt employees at a location. | WV Division of Labor, Minimum Wage FAQ |
How West Virginia's minimum wage compares
West Virginia has the 31st-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in West Virginia earns $21.78 an hour, so the minimum wage is 40% of the median wage. 10% of West Virginia workers earn less than $12.53 an hour and 25% less than $15.16 (BLS, May 2025, all 701,610 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in West Virginia, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $11.12 | 16,490 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $11.74 | 1,580 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $12.54 | 6,240 |
| Cashiers | $12.68 | 17,360 |
| Dishwashers | $12.72 | 1,640 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $12.90 | 1,730 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $18,200 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | $103 | $659 |
| 1 child | $4,427 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $7,280 | $7,280 |
| 3 children or more | $8,190 | $8,190 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $18,200 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $455 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $910. Source
West Virginia minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in West Virginia?
$8.75 an hour.
How much is the West Virginia minimum wage a year?
$18,200 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $1,517 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $16,213.
How much is the West Virginia minimum wage after taxes?
About $623.56 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and West Virginia taxes.
Is West Virginia's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the West Virginia minimum wage?
$13.12 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Alabama minimum wage ($7.25) · Georgia minimum wage ($7.25) · Idaho minimum wage ($7.25) · Indiana minimum wage ($7.25) · Iowa minimum wage ($7.25) · Kansas minimum wage ($7.25) · Kentucky minimum wage ($7.25) · Louisiana minimum wage ($7.25)
Related
West Virginia paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $8.75
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.