Registered Nurses in West Virginia. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in West Virginia earned a median of $79,990 in 2024, about 15% below the national median of $94,511. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
West Virginia's cost of living runs well below the national average. Our index puts it at 87.5, meaning a dollar here buys more than a dollar does in most other states. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the state median comes closer to $91,400 in national-baseline terms. The headline gap shrinks considerably.
The spread from entry-level to experienced nurses is worth noting. The 10th percentile sits at $53,060, while the 90th reaches $106,830. Top earners make about twice what the lowest earners make. That kind of range usually reflects differences in job setting, years of experience, and specialty. A nurse in a rural critical-access hospital and one in a Morgantown ICU will see very different pay, even within the same state.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average growth. West Virginia has 21,740 RNs in the workforce today. Sustained demand at even that pace matters in a state where healthcare is one of the larger employers and the population skews older than the national average.
Salary distribution
Where West Virginia registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $68,160 and $99,770, with a median of $80,130.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in West Virginia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in West Virginia over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in West Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in West Virginia is $80,130.
- How does West Virginia compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The West Virginia median is -18.5% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in West Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $57,210 and the 90th-percentile at $131,760, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.