PayByState

West Virginia · BLS SOC 31-9092

Medical Assistant salary in West Virginia

Median $36,120 · Top 10% earn $44,080+ · Roughly 5,348 workers in West Virginia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

West Virginia median
$36,120
$17.37/hr
Top 10%
$44,080
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$26,870
Entry-level range
Real pay
$42,796
CoL-adjusted (RPP 84.4)

West Virginia pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for medical assistants — $36,120 versus the national median of $42,000. West Virginia's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $796 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 5,348 medical assistants.

What drives medical assistant pay in West Virginia

West Virginia sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. medical assistant pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

West Virginia ranks #49 of 50 states

Where West Virginia sits in the national distribution for medical assistant pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. West Virginia
#47 Louisiana $36,960 +$840
#46 Kentucky $37,380 +$1,260
#45 Oklahoma $37,380 +$1,260
#49 West Virginia (this page) $36,120 —
#50 Arkansas $35,700 −$420
#51 Mississippi $35,280 −$840
See all 50 states →

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Education path for West Virginia

The typical path is a postsecondary nondegree certificate (most common); some on-the-job, taking about 9 months. Tuition ranges from $1,200 (community college) to $18,000 (private accelerated). On the West Virginia median of $36,120, payback periods are typically 3.6 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Medical Assistant salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with West Virginia selected.

Medical Assistant salary in West Virginia — FAQ

What is the average medical assistant salary in West Virginia?
The median medical assistant salary in West Virginia is $36,120 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $26,870; the top 10% earn $44,080 or more. About 5,348 people work in this role across the state.
How does West Virginia medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia's median of $36,120 is $5,880 below the U.S. national median of $42,000. After adjusting for West Virginia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 84.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $42,796.
Is medical assistant a good career in West Virginia?
On the data: West Virginia employs roughly 5,348 medical assistants, with a median wage of $36,120 and the top decile clearing $44,080. The role is projected to grow +14% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for medical assistants in West Virginia?
At the West Virginia median of $36,120 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $17.37/hr. The top 10% earn around $21.19/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $12.92/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

West Virginia-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 31-9092: Medical Assistants), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where West Virginia's RPP is 84.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.