West Virginia Minimum Wage 2026: $8.75/hr

West Virginia workers must be paid at least $8.75 an hour, $1.50 above the federal $7.25 minimum.

Data updated September 26, 2026

Key facts for West Virginia

Minimum wage: $8.75/hr
In effect since: January 1, 2016
Tipped cash wage: $2.62/hr
Compared with federal: +$1.50 vs the federal $7.25
Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week

Source

Rule: West Virginia minimum wage law
Published by: labor.wv.gov
Last updated: September 26, 2026

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The short answer

West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75/hr in 2026, $1.50 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #31 of 51 US jurisdictions. The tipped cash wage is $2.62/hr.

How the West Virginia minimum wage works

In West Virginia, the minimum wage is $8.75 per hour, effective January 1, 2016. West Virginia sets its own minimum wage, and a tip credit is allowed: the tipped cash wage is $2.62 per hour, with tips expected to bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. This reflects a state overtime law.

West Virginia's minimum wage is $8.75/hr and applies when an employer has six or more non-exempt employees at one location. Smaller employers covered by the FLSA must pay the federal $7.25. Employers may take a tip credit of up to 70%, for a tipped cash wage of $2.62/hr.

How West Virginia compares

State rate: $8.75/hr
Federal minimum: $7.25/hr
Difference: +$1.50 (+20.7%)
National rank: #31 of 51

Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.

West Virginia overtime rules

Weekly overtime threshold: 40 hours (1.5x)
Governing law: State overtime law

West Virginia requires overtime at 1.5x for hours over 40 per week. The state law applies to employers with six or more employees at one location. Employers covered by the FLSA must follow federal overtime rules.

Sources for this page

West Virginia minimum wage — state labor department labor.wv.gov
West Virginia overtime rules — state labor department code.wvlegislature.gov
U.S. Department of Labor dol.gov

Minimum Wage · 5 min read Minimum Wage 2026: Federal Rate, All 50 States, and Your RightsThe federal minimum wage remains $7.25, unchanged since 2009. Check your state's 2026 minimum wage rate and find out what to do if you're being underpaid.