Firefighter Salary in West Virginia
Based on 900+ workers in West Virginia
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WV)
$37,350
$17.96/hr
vs National Average
$57,551
-35.1% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$29K – $51K
900 employed in West Virginia
Salary Distribution — Firefighter in West Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,020 |
| 25th percentile | $32,950 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $37,350 |
| 75th percentile | $44,100 |
| 90th percentile | $51,390 |
Top-Paying Industries for Firefighter (U.S.)
Which industries pay Firefighters the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Firefighters in West Virginia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $89,990 | 70 |
| Educational Services | $72,760 | 620 |
| Manufacturing | $71,490 | 590 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $71,190 | 110 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $60,050 | 323K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Firefighter in West Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (West Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,350 |
| 2026 (projected) | $38,471 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | West Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,350 | $57,551 |
| 2026 (projected) | $38,471 | $59,278 |
Firefighter Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $32,950 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $37,350 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $44,100 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $51,390 |
Firefighter Salary in Other States
Related Firefighter Salaries in West Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in West Virginia compare to Firefighter ($37,350 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Firefighter | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officer in WV | $56,960 | +52.5% | $27.38/hr |
| Security Guard in WV | $28,800 | -22.9% | $13.85/hr |
| Medical Assistant in WV | $37,180 | -0.5% | $17.88/hr |
| Automotive Service Technician in WV | $37,660 | +0.8% | $18.11/hr |
| Dental Assistant in WV | $37,960 | +1.6% | $18.25/hr |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) in WV | $36,720 | -1.7% | $17.65/hr |
| Pharmacy Technician in WV | $38,210 | +2.3% | $18.37/hr |
| Customer Service Representative in WV | $38,430 | +2.9% | $18.48/hr |
| Maintenance and Repair Worker in WV | $38,890 | +4.1% | $18.70/hr |
| Waiter and Waitress in WV | $35,380 | -5.3% | $17.01/hr |
| Stocker and Order Filler in WV | $34,510 | -7.6% | $16.59/hr |
| Graphic Designer in WV | $40,350 | +8.0% | $19.40/hr |