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Average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary in Charleston, WV

In Charleston, WV, professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations earn an average annual salary of $49,840. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $77,720, reflecting regional economic factors and the specific demand within the local market for these creative and media-focused roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $49,840 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 14.5% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $81,380.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 920 individuals in these occupations, Charleston, WV presents a modest but stable job market. The Location Quotient of 0.63 suggests that while these roles are present, they are not as concentrated as the national average, indicating a potentially less saturated but also less robust demand compared to larger metropolitan areas.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$49,840

The average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Charleston, WV earns-35.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$24

Weekly

$958

Monthly

$4,153

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Distribution in Charleston, WV

Career progression within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Charleston, WV, typically sees a significant salary increase from entry-level to senior positions. The widening gap between lower and higher salary percentiles signifies opportunities for advancement and specialization, rewarding experience and demonstrated expertise within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$29,440$14.2
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$37,380$18
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$39,330$18.9
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$62,300$30
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$81,380$39.1

Detailed Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$49,840

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$49,840

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $49,840 in Charleston, WV, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this income is equivalent to the national standard, making the effective financial standing comparable.

Job Market Context

920

Total Jobs

8.63

Per 1K Jobs

0.63

Location Quotient

Below Average

Charleston, WV has 0.63x the national average concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.63 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Charleston, WV, indicates that this sector is less concentrated locally compared to the national landscape. This suggests that while opportunities exist, the job market may be less competitive, potentially offering a more accessible entry point for skilled professionals, but also implying a smaller overall industry footprint.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

Comparing salaries near Charleston, WV

Hiring Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations make in Charleston, WV?

The median annual salary for a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Charleston, WV is $49,840. This typically ranges from $29,440 for entry-level positions to $81,380 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Charleston, WV is 35.9% lower than the national median of $77,720.

Is Charleston, WV a lucrative place for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?

No, not compared to the national average.The average salary of $49,840 is significantly lower than the national average of $77,720. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, making the effective purchasing power comparable.

Is Charleston, WV a good place to live for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?

The Cost of Living Index in Charleston, WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Charleston, WV?

Some top paying nearby cities include Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH ($47,300) and Beckley, WV.

How does the Charleston, WV salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Charleston, WV is $49,840, which is substantially lower than the national average of $77,720.

What is the Cost of Living in Charleston, WV relative to the nation?

Charleston, WV has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning the general cost of goods and services is comparable to the rest of the United States.

How concentrated is the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media job market in Charleston, WV?

The job market in Charleston, WV for these occupations is less concentrated than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 0.63, suggesting fewer professionals in this field relative to the overall workforce.

What does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers indicate for this sector in Charleston, WV?

With 8.63 jobs per 1,000 workers, this indicates a moderate presence of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations within the local workforce, neither exceptionally high nor low.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 920 employees in the Charleston, WV area with a job density of 8.63 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.