SOC 43-5031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Public Safety Telecommunicators — West Virginia
West Virginia · 6 metro areas compared
In West Virginia the median wage is $40,490.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In West Virginia the median wage is $40,490. That is 23.7% lower than the national median of $53,040. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,790 and $47,650. The lowest tenth earn under $30,060, while the highest tenth earn more than $52,940.
Employment stands at 880, or 1.3 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, West Virginia ranks 46th by median wage. Beckley leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,320. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 440th of 618 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,060 | −43.3% |
| 25th | $36,790 | −30.6% |
| Median (50th) | $40,490 | −23.7% |
| 75th | $47,650 | −10.2% |
| 90th | $52,940 | −0.2% |
| Mean | $41,650 | −21.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beckley | $48,320 | 50 | |
| 2 | Morgantown | $43,010 | 60 | |
| 3 | Huntington | $42,880 | 170 | |
| 4 | Wheeling | $41,370 | 80 | |
| 5 | Charleston | $39,460 | 110 | |
| 6 | Parkersburg | $29,910 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $40,490 goes as far as $45,240 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$45,240US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,490 a year, 23.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,060 to $52,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 880 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Beckley, at $48,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Public Safety Telecommunicators in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $40,490, or $19.46 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 $53,040, so pay in West Virginia is 23.7% 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 $52,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,060 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 Beckley, at $48,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 880 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.
Explore related data