Current minimum wage in West Virginia
West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75 an hour and has not changed since January 1, 2016. It applies to employers with six or more workers at one location, and tipped employees can be paid $2.62 an hour in cash.
The rate rose from $8.00 (effective January 1, 2015) to $8.75 on January 1, 2016, an increase of $0.75 an hour or $1,560 a year for a full-time worker.
Next scheduled change
No further increase is scheduled under current state law.
Tipped minimum wage
Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.62 an hour and count tips toward the rest, as long as total pay reaches $8.75 an hour. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13. Employers may take a tip credit of up to 70 percent of the minimum wage, so tipped workers earn at least $2.62 an hour in cash.
What minimum wage pays in West Virginia
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Yearly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $175.00 | $9,100 |
| 25 hours | $218.75 | $11,375 |
| 30 hours | $262.50 | $13,650 |
| 35 hours | $306.25 | $15,925 |
| 40 hours | $350.00 | $18,200 |
After federal and West Virginia taxes, a full-time minimum wage worker who files single keeps about $16,212 a year, or $624 per biweekly check. Run your own numbers with the West Virginia paycheck calculator or see the full breakdown for $9 an hour.
Overtime rules
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.
City and county minimum wages
No local minimum wages.
Exceptions and special rates
The state minimum wage applies to employers with 6 or more employees at one location; smaller employers covered by federal law must pay $7.25.
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks #31 of 51 for its minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in West Virginia in 2026?
The West Virginia minimum wage is $8.75 an hour as of January 1, 2016.
What is the tipped minimum wage in West Virginia?
Employers in West Virginia may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.62 an hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $8.75. Employers may take a tip credit of up to 70 percent of the minimum wage, so tipped workers earn at least $2.62 an hour in cash.
When does the West Virginia minimum wage go up next?
No further increase is scheduled under current state law.
How much is minimum wage in West Virginia per year?
At $8.75 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $350 and a full year pays $18,200 before taxes. A single filer keeps about $16,212 after federal and West Virginia taxes.
How does overtime work in West Virginia?
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.