Registered Nurse Salary in West Virginia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Registered Nurses in West Virginia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$80,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#45 of 51
23,430 employed here

How much does a Registered Nurse make in West Virginia?

A Registered Nurse working in West Virginia earns a median salary of $80,130 per year, or about $38.52 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $97,550 for this occupation.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $57,210 while the top 10% make $131,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,160 and $99,770 a year.

Registered Nurse salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$57,210$27.50
25th percentile (early career)$68,160$32.77
50th percentile (median)$80,130$38.52
75th percentile (experienced)$99,770$47.97
90th percentile (top earners)$131,760$63.35

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$140,270
2Hawaii$136,320
3Oregon$129,010
4Washington$124,200
5Alaska$109,480

Working as a Registered Nurse in West Virginia

Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare West Virginia pay ($80,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in West Virginia?
The median Registered Nurse salary in West Virginia is $80,130 per year, or about $38.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $57,210 at the entry level to $131,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Registered Nurses about 18% less than the national median of $97,550. West Virginia ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Registered Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,130 a year. About 23,430 Registered Nurses are employed in West Virginia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Registered Nurse salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.