SOC 51-9198 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Helpers--Production Workers — West Virginia
West Virginia · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $39,190 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $39,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $39,190 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $39,070. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,830 and $46,790. The lowest tenth earn under $31,670, while the highest tenth earn more than $55,860.
The area has 670 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. West Virginia ranks number 33rd out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Huntington records the highest median at $42,980. Of the 618 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 459th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,670 | −18.9% |
| 25th | $37,830 | −3.2% |
| Median (50th) | $39,190 | +0.3% |
| 75th | $46,790 | +19.8% |
| 90th | $55,860 | +43.0% |
| Mean | $42,260 | +8.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington | $42,980 | 120 | |
| 2 | Weirton | $42,490 | 60 | |
| 3 | Parkersburg | $37,420 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $39,190 goes as far as $43,788 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,788US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,190 a year, 0.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,670 to $55,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 670 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 33rd of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntington, at $42,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Helpers--Production Workers in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $39,190, or $18.84 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $39,070, so pay in West Virginia is 0.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in West Virginia earns more than $55,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,670 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Huntington, at $42,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 670 jobs in this occupation in West Virginia. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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