๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 89 โ€” Very Affordable

Salaries in Weirton, WV

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$76,676
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$86,347
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$152,323
1BR Rent
$678
median monthly

Hereโ€™s a look at what you can actually make in Weirton.

You might not expect a steel town in the Northern Panhandle to have a software developer earning a six-figure, COL-adjusted salary, but the numbers donโ€™t lie. Itโ€™s a small city with a big, if surprising, professional punch.

Weirtonโ€™s cost of living sits at 88.8, about 11% below the national average. Thatโ€™s not just a footnote; itโ€™s a real lever for your bank account. A median household income of $56,699 here feels more like $64,000 elsewhere. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages just $678 a month, which means your paycheck stretches further than it would in most places. Itโ€™s a genuine bargain, not just a statistical quirk.

Whoโ€™s earning those top dollars? The cityโ€™s industrial roots are still alive, but theyโ€™ve evolved. Youโ€™ll find high earners in healthcare, thanks to facilities like Weirton Medical Center, and in the trades, with construction managers commanding solid pay. The top-paying role, though, is a marketing manager, earning a COL-adjusted $171,535. That tells you thereโ€™s a corporate layer here you might not expect from a town of 18,785 people. The 4.5% unemployment rate is healthy, but the 22.8% of folks holding a bachelorโ€™s degree or higher is below the national average, which might explain why specialized roles pay a premium.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Weirton can be a fantastic financial move for the right person. If you have a skill set in tech, healthcare, or project management, your money goes incredibly far. The catch is that the job market for those specific roles isnโ€™t vast. Youโ€™re not likely to job-hop every 18 months like you might in a major metro. Wages are steady, but they arenโ€™t skyrocketing; the cityโ€™s affordability is the main attraction, not rapid career growth. For a remote worker or someone in one of these high-demand fields, itโ€™s a hidden gem. For others, it might feel a bit limited.

The data below breaks down the exact salaries you can expect, both nominal and adjusted for the local price tag. Itโ€™ll show you if your profession is one of the winners in this surprisingly resilient market.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Weirton

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$152,323
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $171,535
โฑ Hourly $73.23/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 37
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$131,459
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $148,039
โฑ Hourly $63.20/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 37
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$122,984
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $138,495
โฑ Hourly $59.13/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 112
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$104,574
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $117,764
โฑ Hourly $50.28/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 37
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$97,876
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $110,221
โฑ Hourly $47.06/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 37

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Weirton

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (89/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $152,323
2 Pharmacist $131,459
3 Software Developer $122,984
4 Construction Manager $104,574
5 Project Manager $97,876
6 Physical Therapist $96,359
7 Financial Analyst $95,683
8 Web Developer $89,633
9 Dental Hygienist $84,588
10 Accountant $83,187
11 Registered Nurse $83,178
12 Data Analyst $80,559
13 Police Officer $72,393
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,376
15 Elementary School Teacher $61,530
16 Plumber $61,221
17 Paralegal $60,641
18 Electrician $59,481
19 Real Estate Agent $59,414
20 Graphic Designer $59,278
21 Firefighter $55,200
22 Carpenter $55,007
23 HVAC Technician $53,799
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,306
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,319
26 Welder $47,923
27 Medical Assistant $36,984

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Weirton

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$678/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$860/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$132,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.5%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$56,699
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
23%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
89
Very Affordable

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Weirton?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Weirton. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Weirton Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Weirton, WV?

โ–ผ
Across 40 occupations, the average salary is $76,676. This is 35% higher than the median household income of $56,699, indicating a wide income distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Weirton?

โ–ผ
The highest-paying role is Marketing Manager at $152,323, which is nearly double the area's average salary. This role exemplifies the top-tier earnings available in the region.

Is Weirton affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $152,323 is highly affordable in Weirton. With a cost of living index of 88.8, this salary provides significant financial comfort after accounting for expenses like a $678/month 1BR rent.

How does Weirton's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Weirton's cost of living index is 88.8, meaning expenses are 11.2% lower than the national average. This effectively increases the purchasing power of your paycheck compared to more expensive areas.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Weirton?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a salary around the area average of $76,676 is sufficient due to the low cost of living. This income comfortably covers a $678/month 1BR rent and other expenses, exceeding the median household income.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Weirton Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my take: Weirton is a quiet bargain. At a $76,676 average salary and a cost-of-living index of 88.8, your money stretchesโ€”especially with rent at $678. Marketing managers win big here, earning $152,323, and their COL-adjusted pay jumps to $171,535. If youโ€™re in tech, healthcare, or the trades, youโ€™ll find steady demand and a comfortable lifestyle, with fewer dollars chasing rent and groceries. Is it worth it financially? For budget-conscious workers, absolutely; for those chasing big-city salaries and nightlife, probably not. My advice: lock in a job before you moveโ€”local openings can be limited, but the numbers work if youโ€™re employed. If you value low costs and modest living, Weirton rewards you.

Explore Weirton Further