What the numbers say
Secondary School Teachers in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of $56,480 in 2024, about 22% below the national median of $72,150. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread from bottom to top is notably tight. The 10th percentile came in at $45,310 and the 90th at $62,500, a difference of roughly $17,200. For context, that range is narrower than most professional occupations we track. Teaching pay in West Virginia clusters close to the middle, which likely reflects uniform salary schedules across most public school districts rather than wide variation by experience or subject.
West Virginia's cost of living runs well below the national average. Our index puts it at 87.5, meaning goods and services cost about 12.5% less here than in a typical US state. Adjusting for that, the median teacher wage translates to roughly $64,500 in national-baseline dollars, cutting the headline gap with the US median to around 11%. The nominal shortfall looks worse than the real one.
BLS projects employment for Secondary School Teachers to decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the decline outlook category. West Virginia's ongoing population loss has reduced student enrollment in many counties over the past decade, and that trend is the most direct driver behind the projection. About 3,650 teachers held this role in the state in 2024. Openings will still appear as people retire or leave the profession, but total headcount is expected to shrink.
Salary distribution
Where West Virginia secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $47,350 and $59,850, with a median of $56,480.
Secondary School Teachers in West Virginia: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $56,998. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $56,998 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $52,413 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $64,613 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in West Virginia. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbrier County Board of Education | Spanish Teacher | 2 | $51,520 |
| Kanawha County Board of Education | Science Teacher | 2 | $64,613 |
| West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind | Classroom Teacher – Mathematics 05-AD | 1 | $56,998 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Spanish Teacher at Greenbrier County Board of Education$50,627CharmcoDecided Dec 22, 2025I-200-25349-481802
- Science Teacher at Kanawha County Board of Education$69,012CharlestonWage Level IVDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-788149
- Classroom Teacher – Mathematics 05-AD at West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind$56,998RomneyWage Level IDecided Oct 2, 2024I-200-24269-365047
- Science Teacher at Kanawha County Board of Education$60,214CharlestonWage Level IVDecided Mar 12, 2025I-200-25064-746698
- Spanish Teacher at Greenbrier County Board of Education$52,413CharmcoWage Level IIIDecided Jan 22, 2025I-200-25014-617416
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Secondary School Teachers 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
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in West Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in West Virginia is $56,480.
- How does West Virginia compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The West Virginia median is -21.7% versus the BLS national figure of $72,150.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in West Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $45,310 and the 90th-percentile at $62,500, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- 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.