2015 West Virginia Code
CHAPTER 21. LABOR
ARTICLE 5C. MINIMUM WAGE AND MAXIMUM HOURS STANDARDS FOR EMPLOYEES.
§21-5C-2. Minimum wages.

(a) Minimum wage:

(1) After June 30, 2006, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $5.85 per hour.

(2) After June 30, 2007, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $6.55 per hour.

(3) After June 30, 2008, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $7.25 per hour.

(4) After January 1, 2015, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $8.00 per hour.

(5) After January 1, 2016, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate not less than $8.75 per hour.

(6) When the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206(a)(1) is equal to or greater than the wage rate prescribed in the applicable provision of this subsection, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate of not less than the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206(a)(1). The minimum wage rates required under this subparagraph shall be thereafter adjusted in accordance with adjustments made in the federal minimum hourly rate. The adoption of the federal minimum wage provided by this subdivision includes only the federal minimum hourly rate prescribed in 29 U.S.C. §206(a)(1) and does not include other wage rates, or conditions, exclusions, or exceptions to the federal minimum hourly wage rate. In addition, adoption of the federal minimum hourly wage rate does not extend or modify the scope or coverage of the minimum wage rate required under this subdivision.

(b) Training wage:

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in subsection (a) of this section to the contrary, an employer may pay an employee first hired after January 1, 2015, a subminimum training wage not less than $6.40 per hour.

(2) An employer may not pay the subminimum training wage set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection to any individual:

(i) Who has attained or attains while an employee of the employer, the age of twenty years; or

(ii) For a cumulative period of not more than ninety days per employee: Provided, That if any business has not been in operation for more than ninety days at the time the employer hired the employee, the employer may pay the employee the subminimum training wage set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection for an additional period not to exceed ninety days.

(3) When the federal subminimum training wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206(g)(1) is equal to or greater than the wage rate prescribed in subdivision (1) of this subsection, every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees wages at a rate of not less than the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206(g)(1). The minimum wage rates required under this subparagraph shall be thereafter adjusted in accordance with adjustments made in the federal minimum hourly rate. The adoption of the federal minimum wage provided by this subdivision includes only the federal minimum hourly rate prescribed in 29 U.S.C. §206(g)(1) and does not include other wage rates, or conditions, exclusions, or exceptions to the federal minimum hourly wage rate. In addition, adoption of the federal minimum hourly wage rate does not extend or modify the scope or coverage of the minimum wage rate required under this subdivision.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision or definition to the contrary, the wages established pursuant to this section are applicable to all individuals employed by the State of West Virginia, its agencies, and departments, regardless if the employee or employer are subject to any federal act relating to minimum wage: Provided, That at no time may the minimum wage established pursuant to this section fall below the federal minimum hourly wage as prescribed by 29 U.S.C. §206(a)(1).