West Virginia

How much money do you need to make to be in the top 5% in West Virginia?

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2024

How much money do you need to make to be in the top 5% in West Virginia?

(NEXSTAR) – The disparity between the income that an average U.S. resident brings in yearly compared to those sitting at the top of earners in each state has always been a major topic of discussion.

In fact, WalletHub states that “the highest-earning 10% of individuals in the United States earn over 12 times more than those in the lowest-earning 10%, based on the latest Census data.”

And while looking up what the “average salary” is across the country, ($74,600, according to the latest data from the Federal Reserve), appears to give a solid idea of how far off most Americans are from the 5% club, a closer look at the high-end salaries reveals that the disparity is even more stark.

WalletHub broke down the income of all 50 U.S. states and Washington D.C into three different groups: the average annual income of the top 5%, the average for the bottom 20%, and the median for all of each state’s residents.

Landing at No. 1 was New York where the top 5% makes about $553,000 a year. That’s almost $35,000 more than the next two highest states and nearly $100,000 more than the 10th-ranked state.

While the top 5% is thriving in the Empire State, its bottom 20% is falling well short, ranking 44th in salary with $13,301.

Right behind New York is Connecticut and Virginia where the average is about $518,000 apiece. Followed by New Jersey and Illinois which are both hovering around $505,000.

The state with the lowest top 5% threshold is Alaska, where earning roughly $321,000 will get you into the club. Hawaii and Vermont aren’t far behind where the top 5% makes about $334,000.

West Virginians will need to make $345,239 to be in the top 5%. Ohioans will need $436,922 and Kentuckians will need $411,897.

Check out what you need to make in your state:

Rank	State	Average Annual Income of Top 5%	Median Annual Income	Average Annual Income of Bottom 20%
1	New York	$553,436	$91,366	$13,301
2	Connecticut	$518,757	$114,156	$14,576
3	Virginia	$518,296	$89,393	$18,694
4	New Jersey	$505,621	$117,847	$16,445
5	Illinois	$504,800	$78,304	$16,192
6	Georgia	$487,870	$66,612	$16,472
7	Texas	$481,483	$70,513	$16,802
8	Washington	$474,067	$103,748	$18,223
9	Florida	$470,308	$68,818	$15,375
10	Massachusetts	$466,208	$127,760	$13,689
11	Minnesota	$464,981	$86,364	$19,797
12	Colorado	$456,603	$97,301	$18,451
13	California	$454,829	$123,988	$13,949
14	Tennessee	$453,539	$59,077	$15,679
15	District of Columbia	$450,892	$162,265	$9,011
16	North Carolina	$450,592	$63,025	$15,836
17	Utah	$448,195	$89,786	$22,491
18	Michigan	$446,114	$62,446	$17,019
19	Missouri	$446,069	$59,715	$16,821
20	Pennsylvania	$445,261	$74,711	$15,801
21	Ohio	$436,922	$61,904	$16,188
22	Maryland	$427,135	$124,693	$16,647
23	Arizona	$424,913	$74,375	$16,604
24	Kansas	$423,517	$68,489	$17,176
25	Nebraska	$416,325	$72,384	$17,380
26	Arkansas	$416,224	$51,032	$14,069
27	South Carolina	$412,771	$62,909	$13,996
28	Kentucky	$411,897	$55,629	$13,800
29	Oklahoma	$405,113	$57,215	$15,205
30	Idaho	$403,737	$70,041	$18,372
31	Delaware	$402,989	$87,173	$16,930
32	Wisconsin	$402,256	$72,602	$17,973
33	Nevada	$401,062	$80,366	$14,472
34	New Hampshire	$400,343	$110,205	$18,075
35	Indiana	$399,270	$64,170	$16,670
36	Alabama	$398,584	$55,480	$13,242
37	Montana	$395,720	$68,937	$15,337
38	Louisiana	$395,155	$56,282	$11,504
39	Iowa	$395,093	$68,974	$17,621
40	South Dakota	$393,809	$69,266	$17,252
41	North Dakota	$387,548	$79,874	$15,661
42	Wyoming	$387,280	$76,307	$16,199
43	Oregon	$377,399	$91,100	$14,720
44	Mississippi	$377,040	$46,880	$12,168
45	Rhode Island	$353,721	$104,252	$12,668
46	New Mexico	$351,972	$58,911	$11,944
47	West Virginia	$345,239	$52,719	$12,477
48	Maine	$338,866	$79,800	$13,749
49	Vermont	$334,470	$89,695	$14,477
50	Hawaii	$334,369	$141,832	$14,014
51	Alaska	$321,634	$113,934	$15,646

(Credit: WalletHub)

As for what state’s residents make the most money on average, Washington D.C. finished with the highest median income of $162,265. Unfortunately, D.C. also finished with the lowest salary for the average annual income of the bottom 20%, with $9,011.

Other states that had a high median income were Hawaii ($141,832), Massachusetts ($127,760), Maryland ($124,693), and California ($123,988).

These states with a smaller gap between the average earner and the top 5% make it easier to make the jump, but it’s still difficult.

According to GoBankingRates, it will take a variety of factors to make that jump. First, you need a steady increase in income. This could mean you are making better financial decisions, investing wisely, or perhaps experiencing career advancements.

Another factor is maybe having a solid investment strategy, look to see that you are getting positive returns on your investment and that you have a well-diversified portfolio.

Finally, prioritize your long-term financial stability. Look to prioritize saving over short-term pleasures.

And if you’re looking to go even higher than the top 5%, Forbes found that to be one of the top 1% of earners in the U.S., you need to bring in an annual salary of at least $597,815, so start saving up!

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West Virginia

University, Ripley out to early leads at state wrestling – WV MetroNews

Published

1 hour ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

University, Ripley out to early leads at state wrestling – WV MetroNews

— Story by David Walsh, Photo gallery by Will Wotring

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Divisions I and II are going as expected after Thursday night’s opening round in the 78^th West Virginia High School State Wrestling Tournament at Mountain Health Network Arena. University, seeking a third straight large school title, and Parkersburg found themselves in the top two in the standings on a night dominated by pins as No. 1 seeds would beat up on No. 4 seeds.

University started the event minus two competitors. One did not make weight and the other, who won a state title a year ago, is not competing as he’s recovering from a football injury.

One competitor delivering big for the Hawks is Maximus Fortier, a junior who transferred in from Fairmont Senior. While there, he won the state title as a freshman at 144 with a final record of 41-1. He competes at 165 now and is 36-2 after winning with a first-round pin Thursday night.

“Come down, support the team and try to win,” Fortier said of his battle plan. “Wrestle the way we know how.”

Fortier and the Hawks won the Ron Mauck OVAC title, the WSAZ Invitational and West Virginia Duals during the season. He competed in two major tournaments as well. He went 2-2 in the Ironman and won his weight class in the Powerade Tournament which attracts the top teams in the nation.

“Wasn’t ready,” he said about the Ironman. “Did my thing at Powerade. It was big.”

Fortier said support at his new school grows every day.

“They treat me like family,” he said.

Strategy for the State Tournament is simple.

“Wrestle the way we know how to wrestle,” Fortier said.

University capitalized on a strong finish in the heavier weights and leads with 47 points. Parkersburg, which finished second here last year, trails with 39.5. Cabell Midland is third with 37.5 and Huntington fourth with 32.5.

Ripley is in year two in Division II. The Vikings placed sixth a year ago. They came to town as the Region 4 winner and qualified 11 with nine taking first and the other two second. Ripley leads after Thursday with 38 points thanks to wins by pin or major fall. Independence is second with 27 and Keyser third with 25.5. Cameron is the leader in Division III with 16 points.

The tournament continues Friday with sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the girls have their state with action starting at 8 a.m. The boys begin at 10:30.

Championship finals are Saturday night at 6:30. Wrestlers are now seeded prior to the tournament and the pill breaks deadlocks.

During the season, Ripley won the West Virginia Duals, beat Herbert Hoover twice, Point Pleasant and also got wins over Parkersburg South and Huntington.

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West Virginia

Why is Popular Bracketologist Still Considering West Virginia for NCAA Tournament?

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Why is Popular Bracketologist Still Considering West Virginia for NCAA Tournament?

Losing to Kansas State wiped away all hope for West Virginia to make the NCAA Tournament. That seems to be the clear consensus in the Mountain State, but is there actually still a chance? Well, I guess so.

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi still has West Virginia listed as a team to consider, the second team outside of the “next four out” grouping.

Lunardi’s current NCAA Tournament bubble

Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) shoots a three point shot over BYU Cougars guard Robert Wright III (1) during the second half at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Last Four Byes: Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas, Ohio State

Last Four In: SMU, Santa Clara, New Mexico, Indiana

First Four Out: VCU, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati

Next Four Out: San Diego State, USC, California, Seton Hall

Next: Stanford, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arizona State

How is this even possible?

Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Ross Hodge watched a play from the sideline during the first half against the BYU Cougars at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Short answer? I don’t really know.

My best guess as to why? Two things: the respect for the Big 12 and the opportunities left on the table, and two, an incredibly weak bubble.

Should West Virginia beat UCF on Friday, it will give the Mountaineers a 9-9 record in Big 12 play. That’s not as much of a guarantee to make the dance as having a winning record, but still, it’s an impressive mark, especially when, in this instance, they would have wins over Kansas, BYU, and sweeps over Cincinnati and UCF.

If you ask me, they still have too many bad losses for it to matter. I mean, even if they got red-hot out of nowhere and made it to the Big 12 championship game next week, is that enough? Potentially, but that’s a big IF.

The one thing WVU does have on its side is the number of Quad 1 wins, which they have five of. Virtually every other team in college basketball that has a minimum of five Quad 1 victories is expected to make the tournament. In that previously mentioned scenario, they would add at least one more Quad 1 win in the conference tournament, giving the committee something to think about.

The bubble is just incredibly weak, though. Like, how in the world is Auburn, who is 16-14 currently, the second team out of the field? Cincinnati, which WVU swept and has the same record as, is the fourth team in the “first four out” grouping.

At this point, the only path I see is for the Mountaineers to cut down the nets in Kansas City — good luck with that. We could be having a very different conversation if they didn’t lallygag their way through the first 30 minutes of the games against Utah and Kansas State.

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West Virginia

Buckle up: West Virginia launching seatbelt enforcement campaign Friday

Published

1 day ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Buckle up: West Virginia launching seatbelt enforcement campaign Friday

Buckle up, Upshur County. Starting Friday, March 6, law enforcement officers across West Virginia will step up seatbelt enforcement as part of a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign running through March 23.

The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) announced the high-visibility mobilization as a warm-up to the national seatbelt campaign in May. The goal is to ensure every occupant — front seat or back, driver or passenger — is buckled on every trip.

“During this mobilization, law enforcement officers across West Virginia will be out in full force. They will be strictly ticketing drivers who are unbuckled or who are transporting children not properly restrained in car seats,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP.

The numbers behind the campaign are sobering. In 2023, 40% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in West Virginia crashes were unrestrained. The state’s seatbelt usage rate has also slipped — from 91.9% in 2024 to 91.6% in 2025.

Rural drivers face elevated risk despite a common assumption that country roads are safer. In 2023, 65% of the state’s traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas, compared to 35% in urban centers.

Under West Virginia law, wearing a seatbelt is required. A citation carries a $25 fine, though McNeely says the real point isn’t the penalty.

“Click It or Ticket isn’t about the citations; it’s about saving lives,” he said. “A ticket is a wake-up call. It is far less expensive than the alternative — paying with your life or the lives of your family and friends.”

For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program, visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.