If you are a resident of West Virginia, and have an interest in healthcare careers in West Virginia, you’ll be happy to learn that the state’s employment outlook for most medical field occupations is very strong. The West Virginia Department of Labor forecasts that occupations in the Health Science field will expand at one of the highest rates in the labor market.
The state’s booming healthcare industry is not one-of-a-kind, though, because an identical trend is occurring throughout the nation. The demand for new employees is at historic levels in many towns and cities.
The Best Healthcare Schools in West Virginia
| School Name and Website | Address | School Type |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of Careers and Technology | 390 Stanaford Rd, Beckley, West Virginia 25801 | < 2-year, Public |
| Alderson Broaddus University | 101 College Hill Drive, Philippi, West Virginia 26416-2035 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| American Public University System | 111 W Congress St, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414 | 4-year, Private for-profit |
| B M Spurr School of Practical Nursing | 800 Wheeling Ave, Glen Dale, West Virginia 26038 | < 2-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Ben Franklin Career Center | 500 28th St, Dunbar, West Virginia 25064 | < 2-year, Public |
| Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | 13650 Apple Harvest Drive, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 | 2-year, Public |
| Bluefield State College | 219 Rock St, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701 | 4-year, Public |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College | 2001 Union Carbide Dr, South Charleston, West Virginia 25136 | 2-year, Public |
| Cabell County Career Technology Center | 1035 Norway Ave, Huntington, West Virginia 25705-2827 | < 2-year, Public |
| Carver Career Center | 4799 Midland Dr, Charleston, West Virginia 25306-6397 | 2-year, Public |
| Clarksburg Beauty Academy and School of Massage Therapy | 120 S 3rd St, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Concord University | 1000 Vermillion Street, Athens, West Virginia 24712 | 4-year, Public |
| Davis & Elkins College | 100 Campus Dr, Elkins, West Virginia 26241-3996 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College | 316 Eastern Drive, Moorefield, West Virginia 26836-0000 | 2-year, Public |
| Fairmont State University | 1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont, West Virginia 26554-2470 | 4-year, Public |
| Fayette Institute of Technology | 300 West Oyler Avenue, Oak Hill, West Virginia 25901 | < 2-year, Public |
| Fred W Eberle Technical Center | 208 Morton Ave, Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201 | 2-year, Public |
| Garnet Career Center | 422 Dickinson St, Charleston, West Virginia 25301 | < 2-year, Public |
| Huntington Junior College | 900 Fifth Ave, Huntington, West Virginia 25701 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| James Rumsey Technical Institute | 3274 Hedgesville Road, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403-0259 | < 2-year, Public |
| John D Rockefeller IV Career Center | 80 Rockefeller Circle, New Cumberland, West Virginia 26047 | < 2-year, Public |
| Marshall University | 1 John Marshall Dr, Huntington, West Virginia 25755 | 4-year, Public |
| Martinsburg College | 341 Aikens Center, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25404-6204 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Mercer County Technical Education Center | 1397 Stafford Dr, Princeton, West Virginia 24740 | 2-year, Public |
| Mineral County Vocational Technical Center | 981 Harley O Staggers Sr Dr, Keyser, West Virginia 26726 | < 2-year, Public |
| Mingo Extended Learning Center | 165 Bulldog BLVD, Delbarton, West Virginia 25670-9797 | < 2-year, Public |
| Monongalia County Technical Education Center | 1000 Mississippi Street, Morgantown, West Virginia 26501-6841 | < 2-year, Public |
| Morgantown Beauty College Inc | 276 Walnut St, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-5430 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Mountain State College | 1508 Spring St, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101-3993 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Mountain State School of Massage | 601 50th St, Charleston, West Virginia 25304 | < 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Mountwest Community and Technical College | One Mountwest Way, Huntington, West Virginia 25701 | 2-year, Public |
| New River Community and Technical College | 280 University Drive, Beaver, West Virginia 25813-8987 | 2-year, Public |
| Ohio Valley University | 1 Campus View Drive, Vienna, West Virginia 26105-8000 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Pierpont Community and Technical College | 1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 | 2-year, Public |
| Potomac State College of West Virginia University | 101 Fort Ave, Keyser, West Virginia 26726 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Public |
| Putnam Career and Technical Center | 300 Roosevelt Boulevard, Eleanor, West Virginia 25070-0640 | < 2-year, Public |
| Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center | 144 Vocational Road, Three Mile Curve, Stollings, West Virginia 25646 | < 2-year, Public |
| Randolph Technical Center | 200 Kennedy Drive, Elkins, West Virginia 26241-9527 | < 2-year, Public |
| Roane-Jackson Technical Center | 9450 Spencer Rd, Leroy, West Virginia 25252-9700 | 2-year, Public |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston | 5707 MacCorkle Avenue S.E., Ste. 20, Charleston, West Virginia 25304-2816 | < 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Ross Medical Education Center-Morgantown | 1064 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-1875 | < 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Salem University | 223 W Main St, Salem, West Virginia 26426 | 4-year, Private for-profit |
| Shepherd University | 301 North King St, Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443 | 4-year, Public |
| Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College | Dempsey Branch Road, Mount Gay, West Virginia 25637 | 2-year, Public |
| Strayer University-West Virginia | 100 Corporate Center Dr, Scott Depot, West Virginia 25560 | 4-year, Private for-profit |
| United Technical Center | 251 Marietta Street, Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301-6313 | < 2-year, Public |
| University of Charleston | 2300 MacCorkle Avenue, SE, Charleston, West Virginia 25304 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Valley College-Beckley | 120 New River Town Center, Beckley, West Virginia 25801 | < 2-year, Private for-profit |
| Valley College-Martinsburg | 287 Aikens Ctr Edwin Miller Blvd, Martinsburg, West Virginia 25404-6203 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Private for-profit |
| Valley College-Princeton | 617 Mercer Street, Princeton, West Virginia 24740 | < 2-year, Private for-profit |
| West Liberty University | 208 University Drive, West Liberty, West Virginia 26074 | 4-year, Public |
| West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport | 176 Thompson Dr., Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| West Virginia Junior College-Charleston | 1000 Virginia St E, Charleston, West Virginia 25301 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | 148 Willey St, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 | 2-year, Private for-profit |
| West Virginia Northern Community College | 1704 Market St., Wheeling, West Virginia 26003-3699 | 2-year, Public |
| West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine | 400 N Lee St, Lewisburg, West Virginia 24901 | 4-year, Public |
| West Virginia State University | Rte 25, Institute, West Virginia 25112-1000 | 4-year, Public |
| West Virginia University | PO Box 6201, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506 | 4-year, Public |
| West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26104 | 4-year, primarily associate's, Public |
| West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition | Medical Ctr Dr, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-8062 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| West Virginia University Institute of Technology | 512 South Kanawha Street, Beckley, West Virginia 25801 | 4-year, Public |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College | 59 College Ave, Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201-2994 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Wheeling Jesuit University | 316 Washington Ave, Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 | 4-year, Private not-for-profit |
| Wood County School of Practical Nursing | 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26104 | < 2-year, Public |
So high is demand for medical professionals in America, that it is reported by the 2018 Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) that there are no less than a million job openings nationwide.
Beginning a career in healthcare in West Virginia
The 18% growth rate forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through 2026 makes the healthcare industry the largest future employer in the nation’s labor market. This growth rate is pushed by the need to meet the demands of an older populace and an increased number of insured patients. This situation has created a wealth of opportunities for aspiring workers of all qualifications.
Healthcare support jobs
Perhaps the largest portion of the healthcare workforce in West Virginia is made-up of the 21,820 Healthcare Support staff who are presently working in the state. These entry-level roles typically call for an associate’s degree or less, and provide you with an annual median wage ($27,420 for all Healthcare Support Occupations in West Virginia) that’s competitive for positions that don’t require a four year degree.
| West Virginia Healthcare Careers | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | 520 | 29.26 | 60870 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | 2160 | 13.62 | 28320 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | 3060 | 13.41 | 27900 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 5900 | 17.40 | 36190 |
| Medical Records and Health Information Technicians | 1580 | 18.12 | 37700 |
| Home Health Aides | 3560 | 10.72 | 22300 |
| Nursing Assistants | 7900 | 12.50 | 25990 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | 340 | 27.15 | 56470 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 740 | 23.81 | 49520 |
| Dental Assistants | 1230 | 14.36 | 29860 |
| Medical Assistants | 3280 | 13.11 | 27270 |
| Phlebotomists | 1000 | 14.41 | 29970 |
How to get started in WV Healthcare Positions
Though it’s possible to start working in some positions without completing a professional training program, most organizations in the state would prefer to hire candidates with at least some training. This makes the completion of an accredited training class and some kind of professional credential is a vital first step for any person thinking about a career in healthcare.
The majority of these programs can be finished in two years or less, and quite a few can be completed in less than one year. The subsequent table reflects ten in-demand support occupations in West Virginia, their education requirements, job forecasts in West Virginia, and median yearly salaries. You can additionally click on the name of all of the shown professions to find out more about how to get yourself started on that professional path.
Where to find classes in West Virginia within the healthcare field
To find local schools for a number of West Virginia’s most-popular healthcare careers, click on any of the links below.
- CNA programs in West Virginia
- Dental assistant training in West Virginia
- EMT classes in West Virginia
- HHA courses in West Virginia
- LPN classes in West Virginia
- Medical assistant training in West Virginia
- Medical billing & coding courses in West Virginia
- Pharmacy technician training in West Virginia
- Phlebotomy courses in West Virginia
- Ultrasound technician classes in West Virginia
Where to look for medical jobs in West Virginia
There are healthcare jobs all throughout the State of West Virginia. but the Charleston area is the place where the largest number of workers work in the industry. The vast majority of of these jobs (3,020) are in the Charleston area.
Important cities in West Virginia where there exists a significant number of healthcare opportunities are:
- Charleston, WV
- Morgantown, WV
- Beckley, WV
- Huntington, WV