Salary & Cost of Living in Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg, WV: $27,228 median salary, cost of living index 78.2, $8.75/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$27,228
$13/hr
Cost of Living
78.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$8.75
per hour
Unemployment
4.4%
rate
Parkersburg, WV Overview
Population
29,675
Median Salary
$27,228
Average Salary
$30,495
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$115,000
Median Rent
$500/mo
Job Growth
+2.3%
Sales Tax
6%
Parkersburg is located in West Virginia with a population of 29,675. The median household salary is $27,228 per year ($13/hour), which is $32,156 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.3%.
Parkersburg Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Parkersburg, WV based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $27,228 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $16,881 | $8.12/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $27,228 | $13.09/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $38,664 | $18.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $48,466 | $23.30/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Parkersburg Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Parkersburg, WV, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$22,522
$1,876.84/month · $866.24/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.3%
Gross Pay
$27,228
Federal Tax
-$1,229
State Tax
-$1,394
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,083
Net Pay
$22,522
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,269.00 | $27,228.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$102.40 | -$1,228.86 |
| West Virginia State Tax (5.12%) | -$116.17 | -$1,394.07 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$140.68 | -$1,688.14 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$32.90 | -$394.81 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $1,876.84 | $22,522.12 |
Salary Comparison: Parkersburg vs Other Cities
See how Parkersburg's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkersburg, WV | $27,228 | 78.2 | $34,818 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Statesboro, GA | $27,232 | 85.5 | $31,850 |
| Meridian, MS | $27,235 | 78.5 | $34,694 |
| Muncie, IN | $27,263 | 78.5 | $34,730 |
| Pharr, TX | $28,981 | 76.8 | $37,736 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Parkersburg
Parkersburg's cost of living index is 78.2 (national average = 100). Living in Parkersburg is 21.799999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$115,000
Median Monthly Rent
$500
Annual Rent Cost
$6,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $22,522 annual take-home pay in Parkersburg has the purchasing power of approximately $28,801 in an average-cost US area. Your $27,228 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Parkersburg
Parkersburg's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $27,228.
Salary Tips for Parkersburg Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Parkersburg has a cost of living 21.799999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $27,228 here has the purchasing power of about $34,818 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.12% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Parkersburg's top industries include Energy, Healthcare, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $27,228 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Parkersburg salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Parkersburg-WV metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Parkersburg indexed at 78.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Parkersburg's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $27,228 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects West Virginia state income tax (5.12%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Parkersburg: 4.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Healthcare, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.3% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for West Virginia.
- Housing context: median home price $115,000, median rent $500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Parkersburg, WV:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Parkersburg unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Parkersburg QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — West Virginia — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Parkersburg's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent West Virginia labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Parkersburg, WV?
The median salary in Parkersburg, WV is $27,228 per year, or $13 per hour. The average salary is $30,495. This is $32,156 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Parkersburg, WV?
Parkersburg's cost of living index is 78.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 21.799999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $115,000 and the median monthly rent is $500.
What are the best industries in Parkersburg?
The top industries in Parkersburg, WV include Energy, Healthcare, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 2.3% and an unemployment rate of 4.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $27,228.
How does Parkersburg's salary compare to other cities?
Parkersburg's median salary of $27,228 is 54.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 78.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $34,818.
What is the minimum wage in Parkersburg, WV?
The minimum wage in Parkersburg, WV is $8.75 per hour. This equals approximately $18,200 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $1.50 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.