Statutory minimum wage in West Virginia (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: West Virginia sets a state minimum wage of $8.75 per hour. The U.S. Department of Labor lists it for employers of six or more employees at one location.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $8.75 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | A training wage of $6.40 per hour may be paid to an employee first hired after 31 December 2014 who is under 20 years of age, for up to 90 days (a further period of up to 90 days if the business had operated for less than 90 days when the employee was hired). The minimum wage applies to employers of six or more employees at one location. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $2.62 per hour cash wage: the employer may count tips for 70% of the $8.75 minimum wage. The state law applies only to employers with six or more employees. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | Time and a half of the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. [3] |
Notes
- The U.S. Department of Labor state summary lists coverage for employers of six or more employees at one location; the statute section read does not state a size threshold in this subsection.
- No scheduled change for the next year was confirmed from an official source read for this page.
Sources
- West Virginia Legislature: §21-5C-2. Minimum wages (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, table revised 1 July 2026 (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- West Virginia Legislature: W. Va. Code 21-5C-3 Maximum hours; overtime compensation (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
West Virginia and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | Yes (state law) | $8.75 per hour | $6.40 training wage under 20 for 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | Yes | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maryland | Yes | $15.00 per hour | 85% of the rate under 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ohio | Yes (state law) | $11.00 per hour (larger employers) | Federal $7.25 for ages 14-15 and small businesses | 1 January 2027 | $11.40 per hour |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Virginia | Yes (state law) | $12.77 per hour | Trainees (up to 90 days): 75% of state wage or federal | 1 January 2027 | $13.75 per hour |
More rules in West Virginia
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence (misdemeanour) · Growing at home: Prohibited
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (level one permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Allowed; 18+ for concealed · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblade/gravity: 18+ may carry concealed
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Only passengers under 18
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21+ (purchase, consume, possess) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21+ (purchase, consume, possess)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.