BLS May 2025
Mechanic Salary in West Virginia
Mechanic pay is lower in West Virginia than in any other state. For automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median is $37,660 a year, $12,960 below the national median of $50,620, and 4,490 wage and salary jobs sit behind it. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV sit 66 percent apart, $37,240 against $61,860.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group
At a Glance
- 50th of 50 states on median pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), $37,660 against $50,620 nationally.
- $61,860 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, the best-paying area, next to $37,240 in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH.
- $56,810 for heavy equipment mechanics, 51 percent above automotive technicians.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Pays 66 Percent More Than Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
BLS prices 10 metropolitan areas in West Virginia. The three largest are Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $61,860, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH at $37,240 and Charleston, WV at $41,390, together 13,640 jobs; the biggest of them is $24,200 more than the state's $37,660 median.
Size and pay line up: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is the largest area and the best-paying at $61,860, 66 percent over Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH at $37,240 among areas with at least 500 jobs.
Away from the metros, 2 nonmetropolitan areas hold 33 percent of the state's jobs and every one pays less than the $37,660 median, from $37,020 to $37,620.
6 of the 10 areas, led by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, extend into DC, VA and MD and carry one figure for the whole area.
| Area | Median | Against West Virginia | 10th to 90th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,860 | +$24,200 | $38,110 to $97,460 | 12,030 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,240 | -$420 | $27,840 to $64,650 | 920 |
| Charleston, WV | $41,390 | +$3,730 | $29,260 to $75,920 | 690 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $47,800 | +$10,140 | $31,200 to $74,470 | 690 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $57,570 | +$19,910 | $35,720 to $81,030 | 410 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $42,030 | +$4,370 | $29,810 to $75,410 | 400 |
| Beckley, WV | $37,340 | -$320 | $27,050 to $60,680 | 380 |
| Morgantown, WV | $37,060 | -$600 | $28,420 to $63,140 | 360 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $37,250 | -$410 | $27,900 to $62,400 | 330 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $40,670 | +$3,010 | $29,940 to $65,940 | 170 |
| Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $37,020 | -$640 | $27,390 to $61,840 | 930 |
| Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $37,620 | -$40 | $29,170 to $61,930 | 530 |
4,490 Mechanic Jobs in West Virginia, 41 Percent Denser Than the Nation
Technician employment here is 6.4 per 1,000 jobs, 41 percent ahead of the national rate; the location quotient is 1.41. That puts West Virginia 2nd among 50 states on concentration.
Heavy equipment mechanics rank first on concentration (2.65, 2,110 jobs), and diesel mechanics the least at 0.80. Nationally they are much rarer.
Only $37,250 Separates Low and High Mechanic Salary in West Virginia
The pay floor of $28,270 runs $6,390 less than the nation, and the ceiling of $65,520 runs $16,270 less than the nation. $37,250 from the 10th percentile to the 90th falls $9,880 short of the country's range. West Virginia ranks 50th of 50 states at the 90th percentile.
| Measure | West Virginia | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,270 | $34,660 | -$6,390 |
| 25th percentile | $35,130 | $38,900 | -$3,770 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $37,660 | $50,620 | -$12,960 |
| 75th percentile | $49,740 | $70,430 | -$20,690 |
| 90th percentile | $65,520 | $81,790 | -$16,270 |
| Mean | $44,080 | $56,420 | -$12,340 |
| Wage and salary jobs | 4,490 | 704,640 |
Half of West Virginia mechanics fall between $35,130 and $49,740, and each edge trails its national counterpart (-$3,770, -$20,690).
The $44,080 mean climbs $6,420 over the median on the strength of top earnings.
The $28,270 at the 10th percentile says where the bottom tenth ends, not what a beginner is paid.
Heavy Equipment Mechanics Out-Earn Auto Mechanics by $19,150 in West Virginia
Heavy equipment mechanics sit at $56,810 across 2,110 jobs, $19,150 more than the $37,660 automotive median. Auto mechanics rank last of the 5 trades.
| Trade | West Virginia median | U.S. median | Rank of 50 | Jobs | Best metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $56,810 | $65,510 | 50th | 2,110 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, $71,540 |
| Collision Repair Technician | $47,090 | $54,890 | 49th | 670 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, $59,770 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $46,610 | $61,770 | 50th | 1,040 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, $72,580 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $45,470 | $79,870 | 50th | 590 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, $93,910 |
| Auto Mechanic | $37,660 | $50,620 | 50th | 4,490 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, $61,860 |
Below their national medians: heavy equipment mechanics ($56,810, -$8,700), collision repair technicians ($47,090, -$7,800), diesel mechanics ($46,610, -$15,160) and aircraft mechanics ($45,470, -$34,400).
Against other states, aircraft mechanics rank 50th of 50 on $45,470, the weakest showing among the trades.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is the best metro for heavy equipment mechanics here, at $71,540.
Mechanic Schools in West Virginia
James Rumsey Technical Institute in Martinsburg, WV leads the state's 2 ranked programs with 48.2 out of 100 in automotive; the mix is 1 automotive and 1 aviation maintenance across 2 schools.
Among 2 priced programs the range is $5,762 a year, in-state at Pierpont Community and Technical College (Fairmont, WV) to $6,240 for the 11-month program at James Rumsey Technical Institute (Martinsburg, WV).
1 ranked program is in Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV, where the median is $47,800.
Mechanic Licensing in West Virginia
Inspector mechanic (certified by West Virginia State Police) comes from the West Virginia State Police and covers state inspection or emissions work, which is separate from general repair.
Official West Virginia source (wvsp.gov), read October 23, 2026.
West Virginia Below Mississippi on Mechanic Pay
The state just above West Virginia, Mississippi, is at $37,820, $160 more, and no state pays less than $37,660.
The closest state is $160 away.
Questions About Mechanic Salary in West Virginia
What is the average mechanic salary in West Virginia?
A $37,660 median, or $18.11 an hour, which is $12,960 below the nation. Pay runs $28,270 to $65,520 from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Is the largest metro area also the best-paying in West Virginia?
Yes. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has 12,030 jobs and a $61,860 median, $24,200 over the state and $24,620 over Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH.
Which mechanic school in West Virginia ranks highest?
James Rumsey Technical Institute (Martinsburg, WV) leads: with 48.2 points, from 2 ranked programs.
The figures here are the Bureau of Labor Statistics median for wage and salary workers, so the mechanic salary in West Virginia for any one job depends on the employer, the metro area and the trade.
Sources for Mechanic Salary in West Virginia
- BLS OEWS, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics May 2025, read October 23, 2026.
- BLS OEWS technical notes Wage and salary workers only.
- Official West Virginia source (wvsp.gov) Read October 23, 2026.