How to Become A Medical Assistant in West Virginia
West Virginia employs approximately 4,540 medical assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,180 1. The state’s concentration of medical assistant jobs is 1.23x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 112,300 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical assistant in West Virginia, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Assistant in West Virginia
How do I become a medical assistant in West Virginia? West Virginia requires credentials such as Podiatric Medical Assistants. The licensing authority is the MEDICAL IMAGING & RADIATION THERAPY 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for medical assistants. The MEDICAL IMAGING & RADIATION THERAPY oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do medical assistants earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for medical assistants in West Virginia is $37,180 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,890 and experienced professionals can earn $45,350 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: MEDICAL IMAGING & RADIATION THERAPY
- Median wage (West Virginia): $37,180 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Medical Assistant License Requirements in West Virginia
The MEDICAL IMAGING & RADIATION THERAPY oversees medical assistant licensing in West Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Podiatric Medical Assistants | The Medical Imaging & Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners was created in 1977 to promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of West Virginia by li… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Medical Assistant Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
Medical Assistants Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical assistants wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 13,890 | $46,640 | $48,340 | $37,440 | $59,300 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 1,040 | $37,500 | $38,390 | $31,540 | $44,920 |
| Charleston | 900 | $38,190 | $38,460 | $30,920 | $45,160 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 660 | $42,230 | $42,340 | $35,600 | $49,820 |
| Morgantown | 580 | $37,440 | $37,820 | $31,220 | $44,820 |
| Winchester | 400 | $40,960 | $42,300 | $36,220 | $47,780 |
| Beckley | 380 | $36,190 | $36,600 | $30,450 | $43,270 |
| Wheeling | 310 | $36,930 | $38,380 | $31,090 | $45,790 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | 260 | $37,180 | $37,850 | $31,050 | $45,730 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 260 | $37,460 | $38,690 | $34,060 | $45,920 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Medical assistants in West Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical assistant employment within West Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Huntington-Ashland | 1,040 | $37,500 |
| Charleston | 900 | $38,190 |
| Morgantown | 580 | $37,440 |
| Beckley | 380 | $36,190 |
| Wheeling | 310 | $36,930 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical assistants in West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 4,540 medical assistants 1. Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 12.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a medical assistant in West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the MEDICAL IMAGING & RADIATION THERAPY for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in West Virginia.
How much do medical assistants earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical assistants in West Virginia is $37,180, which is $7,020 below the national median of $44,200 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
MEDICAL IMAGING & RADIATION THERAPY - Licensing Information: http://www.wvrtboard.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |