What the numbers say
The median wage for Accountants and Auditors in West Virginia was $74,520 in 2024, about 12% below the US median of $84,407. That gap is real, but it is not the whole story.
West Virginia's cost of living is among the lowest in the country. Our cost-of-living index puts it at 87.5 against a national baseline of 100. Adjusted for what the money actually buys locally, the $74,520 median stretches closer to $85,200 in national-baseline terms, which pulls it roughly level with the US figure.
The spread between lower and higher earners is wide. The bottom 10% of accountants in the state earned around $47,400, while the top 10% reached $113,730. That is a difference of more than $66,000 between the two ends. In practical terms, experience level, credentials like the CPA, and the type of employer matter a lot to where someone lands in that range.
BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 4.6% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average. About 5,310 accountants and auditors were employed in West Virginia as of 2024, a relatively small base, so even modest growth translates to a limited number of new positions each year.
Salary distribution
Where West Virginia accountants and auditors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,680 and $95,110, with a median of $74,520.
Accountants and Auditors pay by experience level in West Virginia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in West Virginia over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- 02
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- 03
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- 04
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- 05
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- 06
Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- 07
Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
- 08
Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Accountants and Auditors in West Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in West Virginia is $74,520.
- How does West Virginia compare to the national median for Accountants and Auditors?
- The West Virginia median is -11.7% versus the BLS national figure of $84,407.
- What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors in West Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $47,400 and the 90th-percentile at $113,730, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Accountants and Auditors a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Accountants and Auditors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.