West Virginia Minimum Wage 2026
Last updated: · Source: West Virginia Department of Labor
West Virginia · Minimum Wage 2026
Effective 2016-01-01
Data last verified: 2026-07-09
Tipped Rate
$2.62/hr
Tip Credit
$6.13/hr
Exempt Salary
$684/wk
Effective Date
2016-01-01
West Virginia Wage Calculator
Current West Virginia Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 per hour in 2026, effective 2016-01-01. This is above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers must pay the higher of the two rates, so the West Virginia rate applies. See the federal minimum wage page for how the FLSA floor applies nationwide.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the highest minimum wage that legally applies to a work location, whether set federally, by the state, or by a city or county ordinance.
West Virginia Tipped Minimum Wage
In West Virginia, tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage of $2.62/hr. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $6.13/hr, but the employee's total hourly earnings (direct wages + tips) must equal at least the full minimum wage of $8.75/hr. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
| Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cash wage | $2.62/hr | Minimum employer must pay directly |
| Tip credit | $6.13/hr | Maximum credit employer may claim |
| Total required | $8.75/hr | Wages + tips must reach this floor |
West Virginia Exempt Employee Salary Threshold (2026)
An "exempt" employee is a salaried worker who, by law, isn't entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Whether a salaried employee actually qualifies as exempt depends on both their pay and their job duties. West Virginia follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. To qualify for the white-collar (executive, administrative, or professional) overtime exemption, salaried employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) in 2026.
City & County Minimum Wages in West Virginia
A 2021 West Virginia law preempts local governments from establishing minimum wage rates that differ from the state rate, voiding any pre-existing local ordinances.
| City / County | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $8.75/hr (state rate) | State law preempts local minimum wage ordinances; follows the $8.75/hr state rate. |
| Huntington | $8.75/hr (state rate) | State law preempts local minimum wage ordinances; follows the $8.75/hr state rate. |
| Morgantown | $8.75/hr (state rate) | State law preempts local minimum wage ordinances; follows the $8.75/hr state rate. |
West Virginia Minimum Wage History
The following table shows minimum wage rates in West Virginia over the past several years.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | $8.75/hr | 2016-01-01 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 per hour in 2026, effective 2016-01-01. Tipped employees may be paid $2.62 per hour provided tips bring total earnings to at least $8.75/hr.
West Virginia's minimum wage remains unchanged at $8.75/hr in 2026, where it has stood since 2016.
In West Virginia, tipped employees must be paid at least $2.62 per hour directly. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $6.13/hr, but total compensation including tips must reach $8.75/hr.
West Virginia follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. Salaried exempt employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) to qualify for the white-collar overtime exemption in 2026.
A 2021 West Virginia law preempts local governments from establishing minimum wage rates that differ from the state rate, voiding any pre-existing local ordinances.