West Virginia · Career guide
How to become a Elementary Teacher in West Virginia
Elementary teachers (typically K-5 or K-6 depending on the state) deliver self-contained instruction across all core subjects. Hiring competition varies — popular metro districts can have dozens of applicants per opening, while rural and high-poverty districts often run staffing fairs to recruit. Bilingual / dual-language certification can dramatically expand opportunity.
No elementary teaching positions are open in West Virginia right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in West Virginia
- Earn a bachelor's degree. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. West Virginia typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores) — Basic academic skills
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
Most states issue a generic elementary license (K-6 or K-8). Adding a content endorsement (e.g. middle-grades math) expands grade-level placement options.
- Apply for your initial license through West Virginia Department of Education. The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit West Virginia Department of Education →
- Job-search in West Virginia. We'll track elementary teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in West Virginia
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, West Virginia offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Temporary Authorization to Teach: Issued in shortage areas while seeking certification
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) authorization
- Teach For America (active in southern West Virginia)
West Virginia salary context
Average teacher salary in West Virginia: $50,162/year (rank #50 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $34,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full West Virginia salary guide for the breakdown.