West Virginia Minimum Wage
W.Va. Code 21-5C-2
Regulatory Snapshot: West Virginia Minimum Wage
West Virginia Minimum Wage (W.Va. Code 21-5C-2) is an enacted law in West Virginia under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2015-01-01 and becomes effective on 2016-01-01. West Virginia currently reports 2 tracked regulations with 2 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 28/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places West Virginia within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in W.Va. Code 21-5C-2 itself.
Applicability under West Virginia Minimum Wage: Employers with 6+ employees in WV. Penalty exposure is documented as: Division of Labor enforcement. Notable exemptions: Employers with 5 or fewer employees (federal rate)..
Summary
West Virginia minimum wage $8.75/hr. Applies to employers with 6+ employees.
Key Requirements
$8.75/hr for employers with 6+ employees. Tipped: $2.62/hr + tips to $8.75.
Penalties
Division of Labor enforcement.
Applicability
Employers with 6+ employees in WV.
Exemptions
Employers with 5 or fewer employees (federal rate).
Official Source
https://labor.wv.gov/Wages/Minimum_Wage/Pages/default.aspxFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. West Virginia is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was West Virginia Minimum Wage enacted?
West Virginia Minimum Wage was enacted on 2015-01-01 and became effective on 2016-01-01. It was introduced as W.Va. Code 21-5C-2.
What are the penalties for violating West Virginia Minimum Wage?
Division of Labor enforcement. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does West Virginia Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
Employers with 6+ employees in WV. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does West Virginia compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
West Virginia has a regulatory strictness score of 28/100, based on 2 enacted regulations out of 2 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of West Virginia Minimum Wage?
The official text of West Virginia Minimum Wage (W.Va. Code 21-5C-2) is available from the West Virginia legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
Regulation Guides
Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
Related Federal Data
Explore federal datasets connected to state regulation and enforcement.
PlainInfluence
Federal lobbying and influence data — see who shapes state regulation
PlainSpending
Federal spending data — track enforcement budgets behind regulations
PlainGovJobs
Government workforce data — agencies enforcing state and federal rules
PlainEnviro
EPA enforcement and environmental compliance across all 50 states
Explore Regulations
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
More West Virginia Regulations
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |