Verified against official state labor departments Updated for 2026
Minimum Wage Lookup
Look up a state →

West Virginia Paid Sick Leave Laws (2026)

Whether paid sick leave is required in West Virginia, who is covered, how it accrues, and where the law comes from.

Not required by state law Verified Jul 6, 2026
Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

West Virginia does not require paid sick leave. Not required by state law. Some employers still offer it as a benefit, and cities in some states set their own rules.

Paid sick leave in West Virginia

Required by state law
No
Typical accrual
Set by the employer, if offered
The rule
Not required by state law.

Good to know

Paid sick leave and paid vacation are different things. This page covers sick leave. For whether unused vacation must be paid when you leave a job, see West Virginia PTO payout rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

West Virginia paid sick leave FAQ

Does West Virginia require paid sick leave?
Not required by state law.
Is there a federal paid sick leave law?
No. There is no general federal law requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave. Federal contractors are an exception, and the FMLA provides unpaid, job-protected leave for eligible employees.
How does paid sick leave usually accrue?
In states that require it, sick leave typically accrues at about 1 hour for every 30 to 40 hours worked, with an annual cap set by the law. The exact rate and cap vary by state.
Where can I find the official West Virginia rules?
The West Virginia Division of Labor publishes the official requirements, linked on this page.
David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.