A typical biomedical technology company in West Virginia could expect to save an average of $3,066,922 in total labor (payroll and nonpayroll) expenses in comparison to the regional competitor states. This is directly attributable to West Virginia's low average annual wage for the industry cluster, which was just $37,208 in 2000. This is 57 percent of the industry-wide national average of $64,763 and 75 percent of the competing state average of $49,043.

Availability

Key Occupations Required: Research Sector	WV Supply		Key Occupations Required: Manufacturing Sector	WV Supply
Chemists	710		Team assemblers	3,350
Biological technicians	280		Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders	910
Biological scientists	330		Chemists	710
Medical scientists	580		Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers	2,030
Chemical technicians	700		Chemical technicians	700
Electrical engineers	740		Chemical equipment operators and tenders	1,200
Computer specialists	930		Biological technicians	280
Electrical and electronic engineering technicians	1,220		Medical scientists	580
Life and physical science technicians	600		Chemical engineers	410
Computer programmers	1,010		Chemical plant and system operators	560
Source:	Manufacturing & Distribution USA, Gale Research, Inc; State & U.S. Occupational Data 1999; West Virginia Occupational Projections, Bureau of Employment Programs; West Virginia Development Office analysis