West Virginia (WV)
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An automated macro-level review of West Virginia's tech ecosystem.West Virginia Hiring Grade
The job market in West Virginia created 71 total visa applications. Based on this hiring demand, the area secures an H1B Index Grade of "A".
Highly Competitive Market
Instead of creating purely new jobs, companies here actively compete for existing talent. About 51.0% of visa requests hire workers away from other businesses.
Real Cost of Living
A baseline salary of $100,630 is a strong starting point, but living here has distinct costs. After paying the 5.0% state tax and local living expenses, true spending power is closer to $95,599.
Strong Visa Success
Getting an approved work visa is highly likely here. The government approves 100.0% of applications from West Virginia, and local companies also filed 33 permanent residency requests.
Standard Skill Distribution
The workforce in West Virginia features a balanced mix of experience. Currently, 15.5% of the approved visas are allocated to highly advanced, senior-level roles.
Biggest Job Market
Most of the businesses sponsoring visas in West Virginia are based in Morgantown. This regional hiring is strongly driven by the Educational Services industry.
Layoff Radar & Risk Indicators
Top Metro Hubs in West Virginia
Hiring volume across major cities mapped against the state baseline compensation rate of $100,630.Talent Sourcing Pipeline
Are companies hiring fresh talent or poaching from competitors?State Wage Premium
On average, employers in West Virginia offer salaries that are $33,945 higher than the baseline prevailing wage required by the Department of Labor.
10-Year Salary Trends
Comparing state-level base compensation growth for temporary H-1B visas versus permanent Green Cards (PERM).Top Hiring Employers
Companies sponsoring the most visas in this state.O*NET Wage Level Distribution
Experience requirements matched against pay tiers across the state.| Experience Level | Total Filings | Cohort Size | Minimum Base | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (Level I) | 40 | 56.3% | $31,658 | $91,665 |
| Qualified (Level II) | 19 | 26.8% | $64,800 | $98,312 |
| Experienced (Level III) | 9 | 12.7% | $50,627 | $124,773 |
| Fully Competent (Level IV) | 2 | 2.8% | $162,750 | $166,145 |
| Not Disclosed (Blank) | 1 | 1.4% | $0 | $0 |
Geographic Deployment & Worksites
The top locations where state employers place their workers.| City/Metro Area | Workforce % | City Median Pay | Wage (Level IV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown, WV | 42.3% (30 Filings) | $100,630 | 3.3% |
| Charleston, WV | 8.5% (6 Filings) | $104,240 | 0.0% |
| Huntington, WV | 8.5% (6 Filings) | $186,108 | 0.0% |
| Bridgeport, WV | 7.0% (5 Filings) | $81,411 | 0.0% |
| Parkersburg, WV | 4.2% (3 Filings) | $176,103 | 0.0% |
| Apple Grove, WV | 2.8% (2 Filings) | $113,448 | 0.0% |
| Weirton, WV | 2.8% (2 Filings) | $86,300 | 0.0% |
| Inwood, WV | 2.8% (2 Filings) | $90,748 | 0.0% |
| Martinsburg, WV | 2.8% (2 Filings) | $301,320 | 0.0% |
| Barboursville, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $162,750 | 100.0% |
| Charmco, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $50,627 | 0.0% |
| Bluefield, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $144,324 | 0.0% |
| Kingwood, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $36,213 | 0.0% |
| Kearneysville, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $64,800 | 0.0% |
| Mcmechen, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $36,275 | 0.0% |
| Man, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $33,738 | 0.0% |
| Proctor, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $135,000 | 0.0% |
| Princeton, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $97,500 | 0.0% |
| Ranson, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $104,000 | 0.0% |
| Rocket Center, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $115,758 | 0.0% |
| South Charleston, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $328,140 | 0.0% |
| Wheeling, WV | 1.4% (1 Filings) | $69,493 | 0.0% |
Most Poached Roles
Roles with the highest volume of H-1B transfers, indicating aggressive headhunting.Dominant Industries
Distribution of cases by broad industry sector.Historical Retention Rate
Year-over-year percentage of successful visa renewals and extensions.Top Third-Party End Clients i
Where consultants are deployed.Highest Compensation Roles i
Top positions ranked by median base pay.Law Firms & Third-Party Work i
Leading legal counsel for visas.
Visa Volume & Success
-88.5% YoY Decline
LCA approvals, denials, and overall certification rates.
USCIS Petition Processing
New vs. Renewed approvals and denials in the state.Green Card Sponsorships
PERM residency applications and median GC wages.Noticing a difference in dates? Salary metrics reflect real-time DOL filings, while approval metrics rely on finalized USCIS historical data. View timelines
Complete Employers Matrix
A detailed ledger of all corporate clients operating in West Virginia.Complete Jobs Matrix
The job titles most frequently sponsored in this state.| Job Title in State | LCA Count | Median Pay | Salary Variance | Legal Wage Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Priest | 4 | $34,976 | $4,617 Range | Baseline Pay |
| Hospitalist | 4 | $314,730 | $44,280 Range | +$248,045 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Nephrology) | 2 | $100,630 | Fixed Pay | +$46,758 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Neurology) | 2 | $176,103 | $50,315 Range | +$130,655 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Mining Engineering) | 2 | $98,312 | Fixed Pay | +$8,325 Over Min |
| Aircraft Technologies Engineer | 2 | $75,858 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Testing And Operations Lead | 2 | $140,000 | Fixed Pay | +$80,179 Over Min |
| Physician (Endocrinology) - Assistant Professor | 2 | $177,605 | Fixed Pay | +$110,920 Over Min |
| Professional Technologist/Senior Application Developer | 2 | $113,464 | Fixed Pay | +$11,898 Over Min |
| Process Automation Engineer | 2 | $113,448 | $45,270 Range | +$15,833 Over Min |
| Industrial Engineer | 2 | $86,300 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Postdoctoral Fellow (Neuroscience) | 2 | $67,824 | Fixed Pay | +$1,493 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Pediatric Surgery) | 2 | $90,563 | Fixed Pay | +$36,691 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Endocrinology) | 1 | $100,630 | Fixed Pay | +$46,758 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Neurology-Movement Disorder) | 1 | $78,229 | Fixed Pay | +$24,357 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Diagnostic Radiology) | 1 | $120,765 | Fixed Pay | +$66,893 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor | 1 | $60,000 | Fixed Pay | +$11,310 Over Min |
| Application Technician | 1 | $97,500 | Fixed Pay | +$8,559 Over Min |
| Addiction Psychiatrist | 1 | $330,000 | Fixed Pay | +$270,782 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Internal Medicine) | 1 | $100,630 | Fixed Pay | +$46,758 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Neonatology) | 1 | $90,563 | Fixed Pay | +$36,691 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Hospitalist) | 1 | $100,630 | Fixed Pay | +$46,758 Over Min |
| Cardiovascular Step-Down (Cvsd) Registered Nurse | 1 | $69,493 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Automation Engineer - Ipg | 1 | $135,000 | Fixed Pay | +$34,744 Over Min |
| Associate Professor (Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery) | 1 | $137,544 | Fixed Pay | +$83,674 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor Of Neurosurgery (Neurosurgeon) | 1 | $199,992 | Fixed Pay | +$109,325 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Pediatrics) | 1 | $80,496 | Fixed Pay | +$39,562 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Plasma Physics) | 1 | $90,000 | Fixed Pay | +$36,060 Over Min |
| Assistant Professor (Neurology - Epilepsy) | 1 | $92,768 | Fixed Pay | +$38,896 Over Min |
| Faculty Of Neurosurgery (Neurosurgeon) | 1 | $199,992 | Fixed Pay | +$109,325 Over Min |
| Gastroenterology Fellow | 1 | $68,480 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Hospitalist (Nocturnist) | 1 | $0 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Lead Data Scientist | 1 | $169,541 | Fixed Pay | +$35,298 Over Min |
| Cloud Senior Developer | 1 | $115,758 | Fixed Pay | +$20,744 Over Min |
| Fellow | 1 | $68,480 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Gastroenterologist | 1 | $0 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Gastroenterologist (Assistant Professor Of Medicine) | 1 | $172,224 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
| Data Analyst | 1 | $84,308 | Fixed Pay | +$42,022 Over Min |
| Physical Therapist | 1 | $144,324 | Fixed Pay | +$50,287 Over Min |
| Neurosurgeon | 1 | $0 | Fixed Pay | Baseline Pay |
Historical Compensation Ledger
Year-over-year salary data comparing historical averages.| Fiscal Year | YoY Growth | Maximum | Median | Top-Heavy Skew i | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | In Progress | $334,006 | $68,480 | +24.2% Skew | $33.00/hr |
| 2025 | -11.5% | $400,000 | $82,846 | +37.5% Skew | $22.00/hr |
| 2024 | +1.2% | $400,000 | $93,600 | +33.9% Skew | $17.00/hr |
| 2023 | +0.1% | $400,000 | $92,500 | +34.7% Skew | $16.00/hr |
| 2022 | +6.7% | $400,000 | $92,378 | +38.5% Skew | $19.00/hr |
| 2021 | +6.1% | $399,040 | $86,597 | +33.1% Skew | $14.00/hr |
| 2020 | +13.4% | $400,000 | $81,619 | +44.7% Skew | $21.00/hr |
| 2019 | Flat | $380,000 | $72,000 | +38.3% Skew | $20.00/hr |
| 2018 | +2.9% | $400,000 | $72,000 | +37.9% Skew | $8.00/hr |
| 2017 | Flat | $377,057 | $70,000 | +46.2% Skew | $12.00/hr |
| 2016 | N/A | $375,000 | $70,000 | +31.5% Skew | $20.00/hr |
Recent Visa Filings (FY 2026)
Raw, unedited federal disclosures processed in this state.State Intelligence (FAQ)
Common questions and insights regarding West Virginia.Do H-1B workers pay high taxes in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, state taxes sit around 5.0%. For a professional earning the $100,630 median, expect roughly $5,032 in state deductions.
What is the biggest hiring sector in West Virginia?
The highest volume of job offers originates from the Educational Services industry, which accounts for 43.7% of the state's total sponsorships.
Is it easy to get Green Card sponsorship in West Virginia?
Local companies sponsored 33 workers for Green Cards recently. This represents a solid 46.5% long-term commitment rate.
What is the best-paying market in West Virginia?
For candidates looking to maximize compensation, Morgantown leads the state with a median salary of $100,630.