RN Salary in West Virginia: $80,130 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in West Virginia earn a median of $80,130 per year — $38.52 an hour — $17,420 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #45 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of West Virginia RNs earn between $57,210 and $131,760. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
West Virginia RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of West Virginia RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare West Virginia With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put West Virginia side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | West Virginia | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $80,130 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $38.52/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $57,210 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $99,770 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $131,760 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 23,430 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
West Virginia has 116 board-approved nursing programs across 50 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in West Virginia?
RNs in West Virginia earn a median of $80,130 per year — $38.52 per hour — $17,420 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks West Virginia #45 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in West Virginia?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in West Virginia, the 10th percentile is $57,210 and the 25th percentile is $68,160. Most RNs move toward the $80,130 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in West Virginia earn?
The top 10% of RNs in West Virginia earn above $131,760 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in West Virginia?
23,430 registered nurses are employed in West Virginia per the BLS May 2025 estimates.