Career Atlas USA

Careers in Charleston, WV

Part of West Virginia.

Charleston, WV’s regional price level is below the national average (index 88.717, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 4.4% · 84,827 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Surgeons, All Other$619,320
  2. 2Radiologists$482,670
  3. 3Family Medicine Physicians$344,250
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$285,470
  5. 5Nurse Anesthetists$280,250

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Registered Nurses4,320 employed
  2. 2Home Health and Personal Care Aides3,200 employed
  3. 3Retail Salespersons2,650 employed
  4. 4Cooks, Fast Food2,230 employed
  5. 5Cashiers2,170 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers17.33× national avg
  2. 2Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators14.39× national avg
  3. 3Gas Plant Operators8.26× national avg
  4. 4Environmental Engineers8.01× national avg
  5. 5Continuous Mining Machine Operators7.69× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Surgeons, All Other$698,085
  2. 2Radiologists$544,056
  3. 3Family Medicine Physicians$388,032
  4. 4Physicians, All Other$321,776
  5. 5Nurse Anesthetists$315,892

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see West Virginia state page.