Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in West Virginia
24 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in West Virginia, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $46.03 | $95,740 | $73.16 | 600 | 49th of 51 | -15.1% | 17% below |
| 2 | Lineman | $40.29 | $83,810 | $55.46 | 1,260 | 37th of 51 | -7.0% | 12% below |
| 3 | Construction supervisor | $38.49 | $80,060 | $61.14 | 5,380 | 24th of 51 | -8.8% | about the same as |
| 4 | Sheet metal worker | $34.81 | $72,390 | $36.55 | 540 | 14th of 50 | -10.6% | 17% above |
| 5 | Ironworker | $34.54 | $71,850 | $38.56 | 150 | 19th of 50 | +15.4% | 14% above |
| 6 | Millwright | $32.34 | $67,270 | $39.86 | 330 | 19th of 48 | +10.1% | 2% above |
| 7 | Electrician | $31.16 | $64,810 | $45.74 | 4,290 | 26th of 51 | -7.9% | 3% above |
| 8 | Boilermaker | $30.70 | $63,850 | $44.27 | 30 | 32nd of 37 | -34.3% | 16% below |
| 9 | Plumber | $27.39 | $56,980 | $39.98 | 1,830 | 45th of 51 | -6.9% | 11% below |
| 10 | Crane operator | $26.36 | $54,830 | $34.66 | 170 | 47th of 50 | -12.1% | 19% below |
| 11 | Cement mason | $24.98 | $51,950 | $30.67 | 760 | 35th of 51 | +13.4% | 9% below |
| 12 | Heavy equipment operator | $24.66 | $51,300 | $37.01 | 7,830 | 42nd of 51 | -15.1% | 14% below |
| 13 | Roofer | $24.60 | $51,170 | $33.57 | 440 | 26th of 51 | +18.0% | 8% below |
| 14 | Tile setter | $24.47 | $50,900 | $33.11 | 50 | 23rd of 47 | — | 9% below |
| 15 | Glazier | $23.95 | $49,810 | $34.09 | 140 | 33rd of 50 | +28.0% | 13% below |
| 16 | HVAC technician | $23.49 | $48,850 | $34.92 | 1,690 | 48th of 51 | +1.7% | 20% below |
| 17 | Welder | $23.46 | $48,810 | $35.47 | 2,100 | 47th of 51 | -8.4% | 9% below |
| 18 | Carpenter | $23.42 | $48,710 | $33.69 | 3,670 | 46th of 51 | -4.0% | 20% below |
| 19 | Machinist | $22.77 | $47,350 | $34.61 | 1,700 | 51st of 51 | -12.8% | 19% below |
| 20 | Diesel mechanic | $22.41 | $46,610 | $37.72 | 1,040 | 51st of 51 | -3.7% | 25% below |
| 21 | Brickmason | $22.40 | $46,600 | $31.06 | 210 | 48th of 50 | -15.9% | 25% below |
| 22 | Painter | $21.26 | $44,230 | $30.60 | 720 | 45th of 51 | -6.9% | 10% below |
| 23 | Construction laborer | $20.51 | $42,670 | $29.11 | 6,620 | 43rd of 51 | +8.8% | 9% below |
| 24 | Insulation worker | $17.01 | $35,390 | $28.54 | 70 | 48th of 48 | — | 28% below |
Most in-demand trades in West Virginia
By the West Virginia labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are tile setters (+18.8%), construction laborers (+18.1%), roofers (+17.4%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (900 a year), heavy equipment operators (690 a year), construction supervisors (480 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 8,147 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile setter | +18.8% | 10 | 60 | $24.47 |
| Construction laborer | +18.1% | 900 | 8,670 | $20.51 |
| Roofer | +17.4% | 50 | 520 | $24.60 |
| Carpenter | +17.4% | 450 | 4,740 | $23.42 |
| HVAC technician | +16.8% | 180 | 1,740 | $23.49 |
| Insulation worker | +16.7% | 10 | 70 | $17.01 |
| Lineman | +15.3% | 120 | 1,250 | $40.29 |
| Construction manager | +14.7% | 80 | 890 | $46.03 |
| Cement mason | +13.3% | 60 | 730 | $24.98 |
| Painter | +12.5% | 100 | 1,040 | $21.26 |
| Ironworker | +12.4% | 10 | 140 | $34.54 |
| Glazier | +12.1% | 20 | 150 | $23.95 |
| Plumber | +12.0% | 190 | 1,940 | $27.39 |
| Brickmason | +11.8% | 20 | 280 | $22.40 |
| Sheet metal worker | +11.1% | 50 | 560 | $34.81 |
| Boilermaker | +9.7% | 0 | 30 | $30.70 |
| Construction supervisor | +6.7% | 480 | 5,870 | $38.49 |
| Electrician | +6.2% | 430 | 4,590 | $31.16 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +6.2% | 690 | 7,720 | $24.66 |
| Welder | +5.1% | 230 | 2,190 | $23.46 |
| Crane operator | +2.8% | 20 | 180 | $26.36 |
| Diesel mechanic | +2.7% | 90 | 1,120 | $22.41 |
| Machinist | +1.2% | 170 | 1,690 | $22.77 |
| Millwright | -5.7% | 30 | 350 | $32.34 |
Source: West Virginia long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in West Virginia
Prevailing wage in West Virginia
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In West Virginia, 36 of 55 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $66.44/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in West Virginia
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in West Virginia?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $46.03 an hour in May 2025, followed by linemen ($40.29) and construction supervisors ($38.49).
Which trades are in highest demand in West Virginia?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, tile setters (+18.8%), construction laborers (+18.1%), roofers (+17.4%). By openings a year, construction laborers (900 a year), heavy equipment operators (690 a year), construction supervisors (480 a year). The figures come from West Virginia's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does West Virginia compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 24 trades listed, 5 pay above the national median in West Virginia and 19 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 89.5% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, West Virginia.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).