Registered Nurse Salary in Morgantown, WV: $84,385 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Morgantown, WV earns a median $84,385/year (≈ $40.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $90,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Morgantown, West Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $84,385, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,730. The salary range varies significantly, spanning from $64,397 at the 10th percentile to $143,000 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, highlights the potential for substantial earnings in specialized nursing roles or those that require evening and weekend shifts, where NRs can benefit from increased compensation. Understanding these dynamics is essential for job seekers navigating the local healthcare landscape as demand for nursing professionals continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,397 | $30.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,021 | $33.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,385 | $40.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,068 | $50.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,000 | $68.76 |
Median Salary Position
17.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,603 (2026 est.). At $84,385, the local median is 17.86% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $84,385/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $83,220 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -17.86% less |
Registered Nurses in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $84,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.86% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.40% above the West Virginia state average of $83,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $84,385 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,423 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,270
2025 BLS Actual
$80,130
2026 Current Est.
$84,385
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,385 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.0% from $60,270 (2019) to $80,130 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,596 (47.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,397 – $70,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,021 – $84,385 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,385 – $105,068 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,068 – $143,000 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Morgantown
Morgantown’s job market for registered nurses is robust, with 4,510 RNs currently employed in the region. The cost of living index at 93.323 indicates that residents generally enjoy a lower cost of living compared to national averages, which positively impacts take-home pay. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are hospital systems, particularly those focusing on acute care and specialized services like emergency and intensive care. Factors contributing to compensation variability include shift differentials, with night shifts often increasing pay by $3-7 per hour, and weekend shifts adding an additional $3-5. To maximize earnings, registered nurses should consider seeking specialty certifications and exploring travel nursing opportunities, which often offer more competitive pay scales. Understanding these local market nuances can provide invaluable insight for effective career planning in Morgantown, WV.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $80,130 for registered nursesin the Morgantown metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov