Lawyer Salary

Huntington vs Wheeling: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Huntington, WV and Wheeling, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntington, WV
$102,679
$49.37/hr
Wheeling, WV
$130,865
$62.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington, WVWheeling, WV
Median Salary$102,679$130,865
Hourly Rate$49.37$62.91
Entry Level (P10)$60,684$67,448
25th Percentile$76,609$88,492
75th Percentile$143,303$169,897
Top Earner (P90)$201,380$235,711
Total Employed390240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington ($102,679) and Wheeling ($130,865) lawyer salaries.HuntingtonWheelingMedian Salary$102,679$130,865Entry Level (P10)$60,684$67,448Top Earner (P90)$201,380$235,711US Median $167,174

Verdict

Wheeling, WV offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Huntington.

The salary gap between Huntington and Wheeling is $28,186 (27.45%). Wheeling's median is -21.72% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntington spans $140,696,Wheeling spans $168,263. Wheeling has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Huntington
P10 (Entry)$60,684
P25$76,609
Median$102,679
P75$143,303
P90 (Top)$201,380
Wheeling
P10 (Entry)$67,448
P25$88,492
Median$130,865
P75$169,897
P90 (Top)$235,711

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheeling ($148,166 effective) pays 27.59% more than Huntington ($116,124 effective).

Huntington
Nominal: $102,679
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $116,124
Wheeling
Nominal: $130,865
CoL Index: 88.323
Adjusted: $148,166

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntington if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Wheeling if…

  • Higher median salary ($130,865/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($235,711)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,166)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Huntington grew 22.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.3% growth in Wheeling over the same period.

Huntington, WV

+22.7%

$79,920 (2019) → $98,070 (2025)

Wheeling, WV

+14.3%

$109,310 (2019) → $124,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Huntington or Wheeling?

Wheeling has a higher median lawyer salary at $130,865/year, compared to Huntington at $102,679/year — a difference of $28,186 (27.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington and Wheeling?

Huntington lawyers earn $49.37/hr while Wheeling hygienists earn $62.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntington to Wheeling as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington and Wheeling. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington = $116,124, Wheeling = $148,166), job availability (390 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Huntington vs Wheeling?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $60,684 in Huntington and $67,448 in Wheeling. The Wheeling area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov