Lawyer salary in Charleston, WV
Lawyers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $101,150 a year ($48.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,040 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 1% lower than the West Virginia statewide median of $102,420. There are 8.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $120,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,170 | $32.29 |
| 25th percentile | $81,890 | $39.37 |
| Median | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| 75th percentile | $136,240 | $65.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $202,040 | $97.13 |
| Average (mean) | $120,250 | $57.81 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,429.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,214.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,890.38 |
| Weekly | $1,945.19 |
| Hourly | $48.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $195,190 | 46,840 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $124,990 | 240 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $124,760 | 140 |
| Morgantown, WV | $109,300 | 230 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $108,530 | 230 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,070 | 390 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $97,460 | 100 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $94,760 | 60 |
| Beckley, WV | $87,930 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $54,780 | $26.34 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $78,530 | $37.76 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Charleston, WV?
The median salary for lawyers in the Charleston, WV metro area is $101,150 a year, or $48.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $202,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $202,040 a year. The top 25% earn $136,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,170 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $81,890 or less.
How many lawyers work in Charleston, WV?
About 880 lawyers are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.