290 Jobs That Pay Over $50K in West Virginia (2024)

There are 290 occupations in West Virginia with a median salary above $50K per year. The highest-paying is Nurse Anesthetists at $219,880/year. Based on 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

$50K+ $75K+ $100K+ $150K+

290
Jobs Over $50K

$219,880

#1: Nurse Anesthetists

$75,309

Avg of Qualifying Jobs

215,730

Workers in These Jobs

All 290 Jobs Paying Over $50K in West Virginia

Ranked by median annual salary. Click any job to see the full salary breakdown.

#	Occupation	Median Salary	Mean Salary	Workers
1	Nurse Anesthetists	$219,880	$232,410	470
2	Anesthesiologists	$197,500	$248,690	190
3	Pediatricians, General	$175,360	$181,010	110
4	Chief Executives	$172,090	$214,270	1,560
5	Computer and Information Research Scientists	$167,480	$180,940	50
6	Family Medicine Physicians	$158,500	$182,890	160
7	Dentists, General	$156,000	$181,980	470
8	Computer and Information Systems Managers	$145,420	$151,090	1,110
9	Architectural and Engineering Managers	$139,650	$147,880	520
10	Optometrists	$139,080	$135,680	160
11	Purchasing Managers	$132,350	$135,910	160
12	Chemical Engineers	$130,640	$121,270	200
13	Pharmacists	$130,150	$121,000	2,530
14	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	$129,200	$137,530	490
15	Engineers, All Other	$127,880	$120,430	430
16	Natural Sciences Managers	$125,100	$127,870	160
17	Veterinarians	$122,550	$128,570	350
18	Physician Assistants	$120,820	$121,790	750
19	Compensation and Benefits Managers	$111,660	$109,520	40
20	Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	$111,580	$110,390	110
21	Managers, All Other	$110,150	$119,080	2,630
22	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	$109,520	$92,810	200
23	Nurse Practitioners	$108,830	$113,450	1,860
24	Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$106,480	$132,700	2,120
25	Radiologists	$105,740	$154,990	90
26	Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	$105,540	$103,210	300
27	Medical and Health Services Managers	$105,510	$130,850	2,060
28	Industrial Production Managers	$104,960	$118,040	820
29	Computer Occupations, All Other	$104,920	$109,910	3,390
30	Sales Managers	$103,870	$124,690	1,050
31	Human Resources Managers	$103,730	$114,790	640
32	Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$103,610	$97,500	40
33	Commercial Pilots	$102,700	$142,960	50
34	Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers	$101,550	$96,830	220
35	Lawyers	$100,810	$114,460	2,430
36	Physical Scientists, All Other	$100,380	$108,340	120
37	Electrical Engineers	$100,230	$102,210	630
38	Industrial Engineers	$100,230	$102,480	830
39	Computer Network Architects	$100,180	$104,250	280
40	Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	$98,590	$105,810	100
41	Marketing Managers	$98,590	$112,870	250
42	Computer Systems Analysts	$98,090	$97,420	1,190
43	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$97,570	$94,160	110
44	Financial Managers	$96,630	$114,410	2,520
45	Mechanical Engineers	$96,300	$94,920	720
46	Physical Therapists	$96,210	$94,130	1,210
47	Facilities Managers	$95,410	$100,220	470
48	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$94,880	$102,400	420
49	Power Distributors and Dispatchers	$94,400	$96,930	190
50	Petroleum Engineers	$93,810	$105,810	260
51	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$93,800	$91,000	200
52	Power Plant Operators	$91,240	$88,660	210
53	Boilermakers	$90,390	$88,800	50
54	Construction Managers	$90,230	$99,020	570
55	Training and Development Managers	$89,980	$96,910	70
56	Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	$88,570	$90,080	170
57	Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other	$88,340	$121,410	190
58	Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	$87,530	$87,630	200
59	Information Security Analysts	$87,420	$96,360	210
60	Civil Engineers	$86,800	$92,370	1,260
61	Occupational Therapists	$86,450	$87,460	650
62	Education Administrators, Postsecondary	$86,250	$110,450	1,340
63	Labor Relations Specialists	$85,660	$88,960	270
64	Materials Engineers	$85,610	$89,790	60
65	Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$84,080	$91,540	70
66	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$83,600	$93,040	100
67	Public Relations Managers	$82,990	$97,580	60
68	Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors	$82,980	$79,220	320
69	Management Analysts	$82,830	$93,020	1,550
70	Air Traffic Controllers	$82,740	$85,350	100
71	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,650	$102,840	440
72	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	$82,470	$104,620	320
73	Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers	$82,420	$75,580	60
74	Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,400	$91,540	50
75	Gambling Managers	$81,690	$90,210	40
76	Software Developers	$81,380	$94,080	1,890
77	Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	$81,320	$83,360	160
78	Project Management Specialists	$81,320	$88,280	1,670
79	Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	$81,310	$78,750	570
80	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$81,230	$98,790	50
81	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	$80,880	$81,490	840
82	Computer Programmers	$80,840	$75,420	250
83	Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	$80,810	$75,300	1,300
84	Chemists	$80,160	$84,420	230
85	Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians	$80,090	$80,170	60
86	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$79,940	$77,700	880
87	Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$79,660	$81,570	60
88	Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$79,550	$86,170	160
89	Radiation Therapists	$79,470	$80,660	60
90	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	$78,830	$81,800	350
91	Registered Nurses	$78,730	$75,990	20,860
92	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	$78,650	$69,360	260
93	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	$78,580	$77,610	1,460
94	Financial Specialists, All Other	$78,420	$76,660	890
95	Insulation Workers, Mechanical	$78,120	$80,560	130
96	Education Administrators, All Other	$78,020	$81,950	N/A
97	Environmental Engineers	$77,900	$82,010	450
98	Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$77,860	$79,250	120
99	Social Workers, All Other	$77,380	$73,120	410
100	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	$77,150	$82,960	5,490
101	Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$77,140	$88,700	240
102	Detectives and Criminal Investigators	$76,750	$92,110	220
103	Audiologists	$76,550	$73,010	110
104	Administrative Services Managers	$76,540	$82,780	1,710
105	Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	$76,240	$79,210	50
106	Biological Scientists, All Other	$76,000	$75,140	230
107	Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other	$76,000	$77,080	280
108	General and Operations Managers	$75,890	$94,150	14,950
109	Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers	$75,850	$72,540	50
110	Gas Plant Operators	$75,700	$71,660	550
111	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,230	$85,060	60
112	Funeral Home Managers	$75,150	$102,250	90
113	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	$75,020	$75,810	160
114	Personal Financial Advisors	$74,690	$152,330	550
115	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$73,960	$73,180	350
116	Budget Analysts	$73,690	$79,220	200
117	Roof Bolters, Mining	$73,660	$70,690	860
118	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	$72,900	$66,270	230
119	Orthotists and Prosthetists	$72,440	$80,430	80
120	Continuous Mining Machine Operators	$72,430	$69,560	1,170
121	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	$72,380	$68,160	550
122	Database Architects	$72,260	$103,550	90
123	Buyers and Purchasing Agents	$71,970	$73,750	1,300
124	Logisticians	$71,740	$75,800	550
125	Logging Workers, All Other	$70,890	$64,940	70
126	Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	$70,640	$68,010	190
127	Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$70,170	$78,110	180
128	Medical Appliance Technicians	$69,900	$64,430	80
129	Sheet Metal Workers	$69,660	$62,480	370
130	School Psychologists	$69,640	$69,280	300
131	Statisticians	$69,360	$77,080	80
132	Atmospheric and Space Scientists	$69,340	$68,670	90
133	Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$69,340	$72,010	50
134	Dietitians and Nutritionists	$69,100	$70,530	480
135	Crematory Operators	$69,040	$70,050	40
136	Farm and Home Management Educators	$69,040	$67,690	180
137	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	$68,580	$70,610	490
138	Locomotive Engineers	$68,200	$69,210	240
139	Data Scientists	$67,660	$94,330	180
140	Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	$67,550	$74,070	70
141	Accountants and Auditors	$67,500	$73,380	4,830
142	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$67,480	$78,790	1,270
143	Financial Risk Specialists	$67,420	$79,110	60
144	Web Developers	$67,390	$83,570	300
145	Conservation Scientists	$67,120	$72,410	170
146	Financial and Investment Analysts	$67,090	$74,500	320
147	Dental Hygienists	$66,970	$68,820	1,170
148	Business Operations Specialists, All Other	$66,560	$82,230	4,430
149	Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$66,520	$79,280	50
150	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$66,060	$70,730	530
151	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$66,020	$72,560	3,880
152	History Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,740	$68,400	80
153	Surveyors	$65,710	$73,160	380
154	Fundraising Managers	$65,680	$73,230	70
155	Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$65,350	$75,810	680
156	Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,320	$78,220	280
157	Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,310	$72,180	80
158	Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,270	$73,520	360
159	Speech-Language Pathologists	$65,210	$75,260	870
160	Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,130	$73,280	240
161	Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	$65,110	$83,190	1,000
162	Dermatologists	$65,000	$176,070	70
163	Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining	$64,970	$67,030	1,540
164	Cost Estimators	$64,890	$68,520	960
165	Database Administrators	$64,830	$74,570	230
166	Urban and Regional Planners	$64,760	$67,350	170
167	Occupational Health and Safety Technicians	$64,650	$66,040	90
168	Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,640	$72,070	150
169	Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	$64,470	$243,940	40
170	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,360	$74,580	380
171	Anthropologists and Archeologists	$64,250	$64,860	30
172	Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining	$64,160	$59,890	340
173	English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,100	$68,300	330
174	Epidemiologists	$63,980	$64,790	110
175	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	$63,870	$69,560	310
176	Social and Community Service Managers	$63,610	$69,440	570
177	Occupational Therapy Assistants	$63,490	$63,550	240
178	Psychiatrists	$63,290	$132,510	70
179	Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	$63,230	$89,180	370
180	Real Estate Sales Agents	$63,230	$70,540	330
181	Physicians, Pathologists	$63,160	$189,730	40
182	Electricians	$63,100	$65,690	3,560
183	Hoist and Winch Operators	$63,010	$56,220	80
184	Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,000	$71,400	70
185	Millwrights	$62,900	$61,610	560
186	Respiratory Therapists	$62,860	$65,000	1,090
187	Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas	$62,830	$59,870	230
188	Conveyor Operators and Tenders	$62,780	$61,660	610
189	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$62,730	$63,530	360
190	Chiropractors	$62,560	$79,660	80
191	Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	$62,530	$72,330	90
192	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$62,490	$64,580	1,610
193	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$62,320	$67,710	3,180
194	Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers	$62,320	$56,990	120
195	Extraction Workers, All Other	$62,290	$61,980	1,000
196	Bridge and Lock Tenders	$62,210	$62,640	60
197	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$62,180	$57,810	350
198	Human Resources Specialists	$62,070	$69,550	2,750
199	Compliance Officers	$61,940	$68,320	1,410
200	Advertising and Promotions Managers	$61,860	$75,140	30
201	Operations Research Analysts	$61,860	$70,770	230
202	Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	$61,830	$63,210	1,300
203	Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other	$61,630	$60,380	190
204	Emergency Management Directors	$61,510	$66,750	140
205	Architectural and Civil Drafters	$61,430	$61,570	360
206	Teachers and Instructors, All Other	$61,430	$59,070	660
207	Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	$61,410	$57,130	100
208	Therapists, All Other	$61,380	$70,130	80
209	Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	$61,190	$57,340	70
210	Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas	$61,170	$61,110	400
211	Meter Readers, Utilities	$60,650	$55,750	360
212	Crane and Tower Operators	$60,460	$59,210	400
213	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	$60,330	$63,760	1,560
214	Lodging Managers	$60,230	$64,240	160
215	Physical Therapist Assistants	$60,010	$61,740	820
216	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$59,990	$67,200	110
217	Public Relations Specialists	$59,940	$64,380	320
218	Postal Service Clerks	$59,850	$56,860	900
219	Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$59,740	$65,620	90
220	Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	$59,680	$67,930	340
221	Foresters	$59,450	$61,390	120
222	Structural Iron and Steel Workers	$59,330	$59,450	110
223	Insurance Underwriters	$59,180	$60,640	100
224	Training and Development Specialists	$58,800	$62,670	1,460
225	Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	$58,740	$63,540	160
226	Healthcare Social Workers	$58,730	$58,560	880
227	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	$58,340	$62,440	190
228	Forensic Science Technicians	$58,030	$57,310	100
229	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	$57,900	$59,250	1,890
230	Plant and System Operators, All Other	$57,820	$59,130	120
231	Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers	$57,800	$60,170	70
232	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$57,770	$55,590	4,690
233	Mechanical Drafters	$57,740	$61,220	140
234	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	$57,120	$67,150	580
235	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	$56,820	$56,000	940
236	First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	$56,800	$59,050	80
237	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	$56,750	$55,530	960
238	Landscape Architects	$56,650	$69,230	50
239	Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$56,540	$56,580	60
240	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	$56,450	$66,570	3,480
241	Construction and Building Inspectors	$56,360	$63,060	460
242	Instructional Coordinators	$56,240	$60,120	770
243	Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas	$55,740	$60,430	130
244	Chefs and Head Cooks	$55,180	$58,260	330
245	Web and Digital Interface Designers	$54,920	$66,640	90
246	Chemical Technicians	$54,790	$58,640	260
247	Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders	$54,730	$53,700	130
248	Microbiologists	$54,620	$64,790	30
249	Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	$54,550	$54,160	330
250	Agricultural Technicians	$54,420	$50,260	40
251	Postal Service Mail Carriers	$54,270	$57,810	1,840
252	Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$53,940	$55,730	670
253	Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	$53,910	$72,000	N/A
254	Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters	$53,690	$55,620	200
255	Embalmers	$53,500	$52,330	90
256	Financial Examiners	$53,480	$62,870	180
257	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	$53,440	$55,490	480
258	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	$53,310	$53,880	2,220
259	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	$53,230	$58,290	760
260	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	$52,660	$55,890	190
261	Credit Analysts	$52,500	$62,180	130
262	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	$52,350	$56,630	260
263	Coaches and Scouts	$52,200	$68,240	950
264	Maintenance Workers, Machinery	$52,030	$53,060	380
265	Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$52,000	$54,020	70
266	Special Effects Artists and Animators	$51,990	$53,960	50
267	Loan Officers	$51,920	$63,200	1,060
268	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$51,840	$57,990	3,050
269	First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers	$51,720	$58,350	240
270	Fish and Game Wardens	$51,330	$52,800	110
271	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	$51,190	$59,060	2,810
272	Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$51,160	$47,960	590
273	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	$50,930	$54,840	810
274	Exercise Physiologists	$50,870	$54,070	60
275	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$50,840	$56,870	1,780
276	Riggers	$50,820	$56,560	N/A
277	Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	$50,710	$45,430	30
278	Forest and Conservation Technicians	$50,710	$51,350	130
279	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,650	$47,520	250
280	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$50,630	$52,240	1,330
281	Chemical Plant and System Operators	$50,580	$56,550	360
282	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$50,560	$51,600	3,440
283	Marriage and Family Therapists	$50,550	$51,330	90
284	Computer User Support Specialists	$50,490	$56,380	1,930
285	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	$50,420	$56,940	1,100
286	Fire Inspectors and Investigators	$50,310	$50,420	90
287	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$50,270	$54,510	1,350
288	Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	$50,230	$62,670	120
289	Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,130	$50,080	230
290	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	$50,050	$52,180	2,200

Aiming for a $50K+ Career in West Virginia?

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West Virginia High-Salary Insights

The $50K+ jobs in West Virginia are concentrated in Healthcare Practitioners, Management, and Architecture & Engineering fields.

45.3% of all tracked occupations in WV earn a median salary above $50K. The entry point for this group is $50,050/year (Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School), while the top earner makes $219,880/year.

West Virginia ranks #47 among all 50 states for the number of $50K+ jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs pay over $50K a year in West Virginia?

According to 2024 BLS data, there are 290 occupations in West Virginia with a median annual salary above $50K. This represents 45.3% of all tracked occupations in WV.

What is the highest paying job in West Virginia?

The highest paying occupation in West Virginia is Nurse Anesthetists with a median salary of $219,880 per year based on 2024 BLS OEWS data.

What is the minimum salary to be on the $50K+ list in West Virginia?

The entry point for the $50K+ list in West Virginia is $50,050/year (Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School). Any occupation with a median salary above $50K qualifies for this list.

What is the average salary of $50K+ jobs in West Virginia?

The average median salary among all 290 occupations that pay over $50K in West Virginia is $75,309 per year (2024 data).

How can I get a job that pays over $50K in West Virginia?

High-paying jobs in West Virginia typically require specialized education, certifications, or significant experience. Common fields include healthcare, technology, management, and engineering. Investing in relevant skills through certifications and advanced degrees can help you reach the $50K+ salary range. Check individual job pages for specific requirements.

Jobs Over $50K in Other States

These are gross salaries. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, take-home pay is lower.

More Salary Data for West Virginia

Highest Paying Jobs in West Virginia · Average Salary in West Virginia · All West Virginia Jobs

Data Source & Methodology

This list includes all occupations with BLS-published state-level median salary data above $50K per year. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 estimates. See our Methodology page for details.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics