As of October 2023, the minimum wage in West Virginia is $8.75 per hour. This applies whenever there are six or more non-exempt employees working at any one separate, distinct, and permanent work location. The federal minimum wage is currently less than the state minimum wage requirement, so the only occasion in which the federal minimum wage would apply to employees working in West Virginia would be when the six-employee requirement is not met.
It is important to note that West Virginia has not passed a law to gradually raise the minimum wage, and the last time it was increased was in 2016 when it went up from $8.00 to $8.75. However, there is a bill that aims to incrementally increase the state minimum wage over a five-year period to $15 per hour in 2028.
There are some exceptions to the minimum wage in West Virginia. Employers may be able to pay tipped employees less than the minimum wage if earned tips make up the difference. Student workers, part-time employees, and workers under 20 years old who are working for an employer for less than 90 days may also be eligible to be paid less than the minimum wage. Lastly, an employer with less than six non-exempt employees working at the same separate, distinct, and permanent work location may be able to pay employees less than the minimum wage.
