Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.7% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,780
--- Employment in 2023: 7,360
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,080
Fastest-growing jobs in West Virginia
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in West Virginia. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in West Virginia.
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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.3% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,540
--- Employment in 2023: 4,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,790
Lee Charlie // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.2% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,640
--- Employment in 2023: 1,530
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,120
Rido // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Human Resources Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.3% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,950
--- Employment in 2023: 2,750
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,300
fizkes // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. General and Operations Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.5% (1,120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 16,070
--- Employment in 2023: 14,950
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $80,490
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Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.7% (100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,400
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,980
VH-studio // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.7% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,370
--- Employment in 2023: 2,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,220
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.0% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,760
--- Employment in 2023: 1,630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,660
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Compliance Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.5% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,530
--- Employment in 2023: 1,410
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,040
dokurose // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Sales Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.6% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,140
--- Employment in 2023: 1,050
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $101,920
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Computer Systems Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.2% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,050
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.4% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,480
--- Employment in 2023: 3,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $67,800
Milkovasa // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Medical Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.5% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,510
--- Employment in 2023: 4,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,860
Zahovaev K // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.6% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,280
--- Employment in 2023: 2,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,000
ImageFlow // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Accountants and Auditors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.9% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,310
--- Employment in 2023: 4,830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $74,520
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Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Physical Therapists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.9% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,330
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $101,210
Vitpho // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.5% (1,100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 11,560
--- Employment in 2023: 10,460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,040
4 PM production // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.0% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,450
--- Employment in 2023: 4,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,320
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Billing and Posting Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.6% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,510
--- Employment in 2023: 2,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,740
BlueSkyImage // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Fast Food and Counter Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.0% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,280
--- Employment in 2023: 6,500
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $24,960
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lenetstan // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.4% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,810
--- Employment in 2023: 1,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,780
Etaphop photo // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Electricians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.6% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,010
--- Employment in 2023: 3,560
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $63,850
Vasin Lee // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Residential Advisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.0% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,220
--- Employment in 2023: 1,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,400
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Childcare Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.4% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,500
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $23,870
Irene Miller // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.6% (1,130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,940
--- Employment in 2023: 6,810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,010
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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.6% (910 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,810
--- Employment in 2023: 4,900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,710
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Managers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.6% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,120
--- Employment in 2023: 2,630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $126,250
Tyler Olson // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Phlebotomists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.9% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 1,060
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,830
santypan // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Bartenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +19.5% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,120
--- Employment in 2023: 2,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,030
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.1% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,970
--- Employment in 2023: 1,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,710
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wee dezign // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Software Developers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.6% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,280
--- Employment in 2023: 1,890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $103,550
Causeway // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Roof Bolters, Mining
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.9% (180 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,040
--- Employment in 2023: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,970
boonchoke // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Business Operations Specialists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.1% (980 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,410
--- Employment in 2023: 4,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,210
comzeal images // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Loan Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.6% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,060
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,550
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Nurse Practitioners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.6% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,280
--- Employment in 2023: 1,860
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $121,640
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Project Management Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.8% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,050
--- Employment in 2023: 1,670
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $82,950
Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Respiratory Therapists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.9% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,340
--- Employment in 2023: 1,090
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,370
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Civil Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +23.8% (300 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,560
--- Employment in 2023: 1,260
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $88,200
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.1% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,700
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,290
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.8% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,610
--- Employment in 2023: 1,290
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,130
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Paul.J.West // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.2% (1,090 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,100
--- Employment in 2023: 4,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,220
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.7% (1,490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,680
--- Employment in 2023: 5,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,550
BigPixel Photo // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Machinists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.2% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,530
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,980
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.8% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,860
--- Employment in 2023: 1,350
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,630
LightField Studios // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Bus Drivers, School
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +42.3% (990 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,330
--- Employment in 2023: 2,340
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,080
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Roman Korotkov // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Crossing Guards and Flaggers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +48.0% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,110
--- Employment in 2023: 750
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,800
grivet // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +57.9% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,200
--- Employment in 2023: 760
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $21,180
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Production Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +68.9% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,740
--- Employment in 2023: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,240
Oksana Shufrych // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Recreation Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +89.8% (790 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,670
--- Employment in 2023: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,050
Susan Law Cain // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Tree Trimmers and Pruners
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +175.5% (860 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,350
--- Employment in 2023: 490
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,960
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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