The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In West Virginia For 2026

Reflecting on my first job at a local movie theater, where I earned minimum wage while enjoying free popcorn and movies, makes me grateful for those experiences. However, it’s hard to fathom living on just $5.86 an hour today. This nostalgia sparked my curiosity about the current lowest-paying jobs in West Virginia.

To provide insight into the job market, we analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to identify the positions with the lowest average salaries across the state.

Our findings reveal that Gaming Dealers continue to hold the title of the lowest-paid workers in West Virginia.

Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest-paying jobs in West Virginia:

For more details on salaries for the lowest-paying jobs, continue reading, or explore these additional resources about the West Virginia job market:

How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in West Virginia

We analyzed the BLS dataset for all job classifications in West Virginia to identify those with the lowest average salaries. This data will be updated annually as new figures are released from the BLS, ensuring that our information remains current and accurate.

Detailed List Of The Lowest Paying Jobs In West Virginia

Rank	Job Title	Average Salary	Entry Level Salary	# Of People
1	Gaming Dealers	$20,410	$19,530	1,070
2	Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food	$20,600	$18,760	21,890
3	Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop	$20,630	$18,890	1,820
4	Cooks, Short Order	$20,680	$18,810	370
5	Personal Care Aides	$20,760	$18,930	12,500
6	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers	$20,870	$19,020	440
7	Amusement And Recreation Attendants	$21,020	$18,780	700
8	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	$21,270	$18,780	390
9	Cooks, Fast Food	$21,330	$19,340	1,420
10	Cashiers	$21,350	$18,960	20,210

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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