Social Worker Salary in West Virginia
Based on 420+ workers in West Virginia
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WV)
$50,070
$24.07/hr
vs National Average
$57,161
-12.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$38K – $70K
420 employed in West Virginia
Salary Distribution — Social Worker in West Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,410 |
| 25th percentile | $47,270 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $50,070 |
| 75th percentile | $57,830 |
| 90th percentile | $70,190 |
Top-Paying Industries for Social Worker (U.S.)
Which industries pay Social Workers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Social Workers in West Virginia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $94,250 | 550 |
| Educational Services | $72,880 | 2K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $68,600 | 20K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $65,990 | 2K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $59,270 | 104K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Social Worker in West Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (West Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $31,790 |
| 2023 | $37,740 |
| 2024 | $47,840 |
| 2025 | $50,070 |
| 2026 (projected) | $52,404 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $31,790 | $50,498 |
| 2023 | $37,740 | $53,608 |
| 2024 | $47,840 | $56,931 |
| 2025 | $50,070 | $57,161 |
| 2026 (projected) | $52,404 | $59,825 |
Social Worker Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $47,270 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $50,070 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $57,830 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $70,190 |
Social Worker Salary in Other States
Related Social Worker Salaries in West Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in West Virginia compare to Social Worker ($50,070 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Social Worker | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine Physician in WV | $491,230 | +881.1% | $236.17/hr |
| Radiologist in WV | $471,650 | +842.0% | $226.75/hr |
| Surgeon in WV | $468,210 | +835.1% | $225.10/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in WV | $300,810 | +500.8% | $144.62/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in WV | $278,530 | +456.3% | $133.91/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in WV | $272,680 | +444.6% | $131.10/hr |
| Podiatrist in WV | $207,000 | +313.4% | $99.52/hr |
| Dentist in WV | $170,370 | +240.3% | $81.91/hr |
| Pediatrician in WV | $158,470 | +216.5% | $76.19/hr |
| Pharmacist in WV | $133,430 | +166.5% | $64.15/hr |
| Veterinarian in WV | $128,990 | +157.6% | $62.01/hr |
| Physician Assistant in WV | $128,610 | +156.9% | $61.83/hr |