The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75/hour as of 2026. See the tipped wage, scheduled increases, annual income at minimum wage, and how it compares to the federal poverty level.
| Category | Rate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $8.75/hour |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | $2.62/hour |
| Federal Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (FLSA) |
| Scheduled Increases | No scheduled increases |
| Full-Time Annual (2,080 hrs) | $18,200/year |
| Part-Time Annual (30 hrs/wk) | $13,650/year |
| As % of Federal Poverty Level (1 person) | 116% of FPL ($15,650) |
| Source | U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division; West Virginia Dept. of Labor |
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage.
West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75/hour — above the federal floor but well below most states. The tipped minimum is $2.62/hour. West Virginia's minimum wage applies to employers with 6 or more employees. There are no scheduled increases. West Virginia has not raised its minimum wage since 2016.
The federal poverty guideline for a single person in 2026 is $15,650/year. At West Virginia's minimum wage of $8.75/hour, a full-time worker earns $18,200/year — 116% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the poverty guideline is $32,150/year; full-time minimum wage earnings represent 57% of that threshold.
| Work Schedule | Gross Annual Income at $8.75/hr | vs. Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (40 hrs/wk) | $18,200/year | 116% of single FPL |
| Part-time (30 hrs/wk) | $13,650/year | 87% of single FPL |
| Part-time (20 hrs/wk) | $9,100/year | 58% of single FPL |
| Federal Poverty (1 person) | $15,650/year | 100% |
| Federal Poverty (family of 4) | $32,150/year | N/A |
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75/hour as of 2026. A full-time worker at minimum wage earns $18,200/year gross before taxes. West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75/hour — above the federal floor but well below most states. The tipped minimum is $2.62/hour. West Virginia's minimum wage applies to employers with 6 or more employees. There are no scheduled increases. West Virginia has not raised its minimum wage since 2016.
The tipped minimum wage in West Virginia is $2.62/hour. Employers who pay the tipped minimum must ensure that tips received by the employee are sufficient to bring total compensation to at least $8.75/hour. If tips are insufficient, the employer must pay the difference (called a tip credit makeup).
Scheduled increases: No scheduled increases. Check the West Virginia Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for the most current information, as minimum wage schedules can change with new legislation or ballot measures.
At $8.75/hour, full-time earnings of $18,200/year represent 116% of the federal poverty level for a single person. MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage in most West Virginia counties ranges from $18 to $35/hour depending on family size and local housing costs. Minimum wage alone is generally insufficient to cover basic living expenses in most of West Virginia without government assistance or additional income.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It has not increased since July 24, 2009 — the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase in history. When state minimum wages exceed the federal minimum, the higher state rate applies to covered workers. In West Virginia, the applicable minimum wage is $8.75/hour.