• While the average worker in West Virginia brought home $23,427 in pay in 1997, the state’s construction workers made on average $24,187, an increase of 3.14% more than the average worker in West Virginia.

• While the average worker in West Virginia brought home $26,176 in pay in 2002, the state’s construction workers made on average $31,263, an increase of 16.27% more than the average worker in West Virginia. 

• In the five years between 1997 and 2002, the average salary for employees in West Virginia increased by 11.74%, while the average salary for construction workers in West Virginia increased by 29.26%. 

• Construction workers in West Virginia saw a salary increase of 29.26% from 1997-2002, compared to the average salary increase construction workers across the United States, which increased by 14.97%. 

• According to Union Membership and Coverage Database, available at www.unionstats.com, in 2006, only 15.8 percent of West Virginia’s private construction workforce belonged to a construction trade union.  That means that approximately 85 out of 100 West Virginia’s private construction workers do not belong to a labor union.

Data are from the U.S. Bureau of the Census except where noted.

• West Virginia is a prevailing wage state. There is no dollar threshold amount for contract coverage under state prevailing wage law in West Virginia.