West Virginia’s healthcare system has long been a driver of the state’s economy, which continues to translate into excellent opportunities for medical assistants. For example, according to the West Virginia Hospital Association, in 2019 alone, WV hospitals contributed nearly $10 billion to the state’s economy and employed more than 44,000 people. Of the state’s 100 largest employers, 15 of them are hospitals.
The state’s Department of Commerce is also publishing data that back all this up, with healthcare support professions expected to see some of the strongest job growth numbers in the years ahead.
As of 2019, there were 3,650 medical assistants working in the state. By 2021, the number is expected to increase by 2.7%. With an average of 50 job openings expected here every year, you can feel confident you’ll have plenty of space to enter the profession or climb the career ladder.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that medical assistants in West Virginia earned an average hourly wage of $13.58, or $28,250 annually as of 2019. But for those with experience and professional certification like the CMA, wages here increase significantly to as much as $17.88 an hour, or $37,190 annually.
Average Hourly Wages for Medical Assistants in West Virginia’s Metro Areas
Charleston comes out on top for average wages among medical assistants, while Huntington takes the top spot for the number of healthcare support professionals working there, including MAs.
The BLS reported the following hourly wage ranges (median – top 10%) for medical assistants in West Virginia’s major metro areas:
- Beckley: $14.02 – $17.88 (approximately 180 medical assistants)
- Charleston: $14.23 – $19.07 (approximately 630 medical assistants)
- Huntington: $13.77 – $18.43 (approximately 820 medical assistants)
- Morgantown: $12.95 – $16.35 (approximately 400 medical assistants)
- Wheeling: $14.08 – $18.09 (approximately 300 medical assistants)
Average Salaries for Medical Assistants in West Virginia’s Metro Areas
The following BLS stats indicate what medical assistants are earning in the median – top 10% salary range in West Virginia’s biggest metros:
- Beckley: $29,170 – $37,180
- Charleston: $29,590 – $39,660
- Huntington: $28,650 – $38,330
- Morgantown: $26,940 – $34,000
- Wheeling: $29,280 – $37,620
US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for medical assistants represents state data not school-specific information.
2019 job growth projections from the West Virginia Department of Commerce are aggregated through the U.S. Department of Labor-Sponsored resource, Projections Central.
Conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and employment data accessed May 2020.