State market profile
West Virginia OT job market
Compare West Virginia using BLS occupational therapist wage, employment, density, and concentration data from the May 2025 OEWS release, then review metro, school, and employer context.
State rank #42$95,810 mean wage700 OT jobs0.96 location quotient
Market snapshot
How West Virginia compares for occupational therapists
The state score balances pay, role depth, role density, and occupational concentration. Raw BLS measures stay visible so readers can audit the ranking.
Decision snapshot
Is West Virginia a strong OT market for your next move?
Use the state rank as a starting point, then validate the metro, setting, employer, and school context that will shape the actual decision.
Best for
- OTs who want a source-backed read on West Virginia before narrowing to specific metros and employers.
- Readers comparing a smaller statewide market where individual employers and commute radius matter more.
- Readers who want metro-level comparisons instead of relying on one statewide wage number.
Watch closely
- Statewide wage data does not adjust for rent, taxes, benefits, commute time, productivity model, or setting mix.
- Large states can hide major metro-to-metro differences, so compare city profiles before relocating.
- A strong concentration signal still needs employer-level review before accepting an offer.
Ask before deciding
- Which West Virginia metros have enough openings in the setting you actually want?
- How do rent, commute, taxes, and benefits change the value of a $95,810 mean wage?
- Which employers offer mentorship, manageable documentation, and a caseload mix that fits your goals?
Decision signals
What the state data means in practice
Statewide numbers are useful for screening, but the decision still depends on metros, employers, schools, and the specific setting you want.
Pay shape
The mean and median wage are close, which makes the published wage signal easier to interpret for typical OT roles.
Market depth
This is a thinner statewide employment base. Individual employers, local referral networks, and travel radius can matter more than the statewide rank.
Role concentration
The concentration signal is near the national baseline, so wage and employer quality may matter more than raw occupational density.
Metro markets
Best West Virginia metro markets for OTs
Metro rows help separate statewide strength from the cities where jobs, wages, and OT concentration are actually concentrated.
| Metro | Rank | Mean wage | Employment | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH Score 39.6 | #193 | $91,530 | 60 | 1.54 LQ; 1.60 per 1,000 jobs |
| Wheeling, WV-OH Score 37.4 | #220 | $98,040 | 70 | 1.12 LQ; 1.17 per 1,000 jobs |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH Score 36.9 | #227 | $96,500 | 140 | 0.94 LQ; 0.98 per 1,000 jobs |
| Morgantown, WV Score 34.8 | #253 | $90,240 | 80 | 1.17 LQ; 1.22 per 1,000 jobs |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV Score 32.0 | #290 | $94,600 | 40 | 1.03 LQ; 1.08 per 1,000 jobs |
| Charleston, WV Score 28.6 | #326 | $89,410 | 80 | 0.78 LQ; 0.81 per 1,000 jobs |
| Beckley, WV Score 27.9 | #330 | $96,840 | 30 | 0.76 LQ; 0.79 per 1,000 jobs |
Programs
OT and OTA programs in West Virginia
Program supply matters for applicants, fieldwork access, and local clinical networks. These rows point to source-backed school profiles where available.
| Program | Location | Degree | NBCOT |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University 1-24% distance; next review 2030/2031 | Morgantown, WV | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| West Virginia University 1-24% distance; next review 2033/2034 | Morgantown, WV | OT Masters | 100% |
| University of Charleston-Beckley 1-24% distance; next review 2026/2027 | Beckley, WV | OTA Associate | 83% |
| University of Charleston-Charleston 50-74% distance; next review 2032/2033 | Charleston, WV | OT Masters | NBCOT outcome unavailable |
Compare states
Other strong OT state markets
Use peer states to check whether a relocation, school decision, or salary negotiation is anchored in the right labor-market comparison.
Rank #1
New Jersey
$110,150 mean wage; 6,290 OT jobs; 1.41 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #2California
$121,920 mean wage; 13,810 OT jobs; 0.73 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #3Massachusetts
$99,730 mean wage; 6,510 OT jobs; 1.71 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #4Connecticut
$102,140 mean wage; 3,150 OT jobs; 1.77 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #5Arkansas
$104,940 mean wage; 2,160 OT jobs; 1.59 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #6Colorado
$111,620 mean wage; 3,390 OT jobs; 1.13 location quotient.
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