SOC 35-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — West Virginia
West Virginia · 7 metro areas compared
In West Virginia the median wage is $24,420.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In West Virginia the median wage is $24,420. That is 21.7% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $19,640 at the tenth percentile to more than $30,460 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,030 to $27,460.
The area has 1,580 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.81 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. West Virginia ranks number 48th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Wheeling records the highest median at $26,080. Of the 618 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 611th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,640 | −37.1% |
| 25th | $22,030 | −29.4% |
| Median (50th) | $24,420 | −21.7% |
| 75th | $27,460 | −12.0% |
| 90th | $30,460 | −2.4% |
| Mean | $25,510 | −18.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling | $26,080 | 190 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $25,470 | 190 | |
| 3 | Morgantown | $24,790 | 190 | |
| 4 | Weirton | $24,380 | 100 | |
| 5 | Beckley | $24,050 | 140 | |
| 6 | Huntington | $23,950 | 340 | |
| 7 | Parkersburg | $23,950 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $24,420 goes as far as $27,285 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$24,420as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$27,285US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $24,420 a year, 21.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,640 to $30,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,580 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 48th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wheeling, at $26,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $24,420, or $11.74 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 $31,200, so pay in West Virginia is 21.7% lower. 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 $30,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,640 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 Wheeling, at $26,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,580 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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