West Virginia Career & Training Directory
Explore 218 careers with West Virginia-specific salary data, licensing requirements, and 14 accredited schools.
Top Careers in West Virginia
West Virginia's Energy Transition and Healthcare Shortage Drive Career Reinvention
West Virginia is navigating one of the most significant economic transitions of any U.S. state: a coal mining industry in long-term decline being replaced by natural gas extraction, renewable energy development, and a growing healthcare sector. The state consistently has the highest rate of healthcare occupational vacancies in the country relative to population, making nursing and allied health careers both available and above-average in pay. The CHIPS Act is drawing semiconductor investment to the state. Despite low wages overall (10–15% below national medians), skilled trades and healthcare roles are increasingly competitive.
Registered Nurse
- Median Salary
- $61,200/yr
- Job Growth
- +6.4% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 2–4 years (ADN or BSN)
Electrician
- Median Salary
- $58,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +9.6% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 4–5 years (apprenticeship)
Pipefitter
- Median Salary
- $62,400/yr
- Job Growth
- +4.4% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 4–5 years (apprenticeship)
Licensed Practical Nurse
- Median Salary
- $44,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +5.5% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 12–18 months (certificate)
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
- Median Salary
- $46,400/yr
- Job Growth
- +22.6% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- Short-term certificate + OJT
Welder
- Median Salary
- $44,800/yr
- Job Growth
- +3.2% (2022–2032)
- Training Time
- 6–12 months (certificate)
Salary figures based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024/2025. Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032. State figures reflect West Virginia-specific wage data; individual employer pay varies.
Airline Pilot (Career Track) / Flight Student
DevOps Engineer / Site Reliability Engineer
Cybersecurity Analyst
Cloud Technician / Cloud Engineer
Construction Manager / Superintendent
Database Administrator (DBA)
Schools in West Virginia
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Serves the Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan counties). One of the fastest-growing CTCs in WV due to I-81 c...
BridgeValley Community and Technical College
Formed from the merger of Bridgemont and Kanawha Valley CTCs. Serves the greater Charleston metro with 42 associate prog...
Mountwest Community and Technical College
Former Marshall University community college. Serves the Huntington tri-state area with 59 associate programs. Features ...
Pierpont Community and Technical College
Serves north-central WV. Notable aviation maintenance technology program and strong allied health pipeline to regional h...
About West Virginia's Job Market
West Virginia's economy supports a strong demand for trained vocational professionals across healthcare, construction, technology, and transportation. The state's growing population drives steady openings for allied health workers, skilled tradespeople, and tech professionals.