Lawyer salary in West Virginia
Lawyers in West Virginia earn a median of $102,420 a year ($49.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,370 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $159,670. West Virginia ranks 46th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 3.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $123,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| 25th percentile | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Median | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| 75th percentile | $145,270 | $69.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,370 | $99.22 |
| Average (mean) | $123,210 | $59.24 |
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 | $8,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,267.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,939.23 |
| Weekly | $1,969.62 |
| Hourly | $49.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in West Virginia
| 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 |
| Charleston, WV | $101,150 | 880 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $55,890 | $26.87 |
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for lawyers in West Virginia is $102,420 a year, or $49.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $206,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of lawyers in West Virginia earn at least $206,370 a year. The top 25% earn $145,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,950 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $80,640 or less.
How many lawyers work in West Virginia?
About 2,440 lawyers are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.