Plumber Salary in West Virginia: $61,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $61,790/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,434 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Weirton ($64,100), Wheeling ($64,060), Huntington ($62,160).
In 2026, plumbers in West Virginia can expect an average median salary of $61,791, which is 5.5% lower than the national median of $65,408. The highest paying city in the state is Weirton, where salaries reach $65,715, while Parkersburg offers the lowest at $50,829. This significant difference of $14,886 between the highest and lowest paying locations can be attributed to factors such as local demand for plumbing services, cost of living, and the availability of skilled labor. West Virginia has specific licensing requirements that can influence earning potential, as well as scope of practice laws that can define the range of services plumbers can provide. Local economic conditions and the construction industry play a vital role in shaping demand; with a projected annual growth rate of 2.52%, there is a stable outlook for plumbing jobs in the state. In terms of employment, approximately 1,259 plumbers are currently working across 11 metro areas, with cities like Wheeling ($65,674), Huntington ($63,726), Charleston ($60,425), and Morgantown ($60,261) following Weirton in salary rankings. Overall, while West Virginia's plumbing salaries are lower than the national average, the projected job growth indicates a steady demand for skilled plumbers in the upcoming years.
West Virginia Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $35,841 (lowest entry-level) to $95,323 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia plumbers earn 5.53% less than the national median ($-3,618/year difference).
West Virginia Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in West Virginia range from $38,823 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,061 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,790. The West Virginia median is $3,618 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $29.71/hr. Approximately 1,259 plumbers are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,952
2025 BLS Actual
$60,272
2026 Current Est.
$61,790
2019–2027 Growth
+7.5%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,952 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,318 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,883 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,592 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,753 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 2.2% from $58,952 (2019) to $60,272 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,396 (7.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Virginia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Parkersburg | $50,829 |
| Beckley | $51,404 |
| Clarksburg | $56,044 |
| Fairmont | $56,229 |
| Martinsburg | $56,797 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling | $65,674 | 88.323 | $74,357 |
| Weirton | $65,715 | 89.024 | $73,817 |
| Huntington | $63,726 | 88.422 | $72,070 |
| Charleston | $60,425 | 88.717 | $68,110 |
| South Charleston | $57,884 | 86.5 | $66,918 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,823 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,790 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,061 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weirton | $65,715 |
| 2 | Wheeling | $65,674 |
| 3 | Huntington | $63,726 |
| 4 | Charleston | $60,425 |
| 5 | Morgantown | $60,261 |
| 6 | South Charleston | $57,884 |
| 7 | Martinsburg | $56,797 |
| 8 | Fairmont | $56,229 |
| 9 | Clarksburg | $56,044 |
| 10 | Beckley | $51,404 |
| 11 | Parkersburg | $50,829 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in West Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in West Virginia?
How does West Virginia plumber pay compare to the national average?
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Which West Virginia city offers the best value for plumbers?
Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov