Registered Nurse Salary in Charleston, WV
Registered Nurses in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median $80,230 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,340 take-home, or $5,195 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Charleston, WV. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,821
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,974
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,163
- West Virginia income tax$2,932
- Take-home pay$62,340
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.82% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Charleston, WV
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,110 | $24.57 | $41,677 | $3,473 |
| 25th percentile | $67,280 | $32.35 | $53,853 | $4,488 |
| Median (50th) | $80,230 | $38.57 | $62,340 | $5,195 |
| 75th percentile | $104,310 | $50.15 | $78,119 | $6,510 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,850 | $66.75 | $100,412 | $8,368 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, West Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,230 buys in Charleston, WV
Prices in Charleston, WV are 11.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 49% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $62,340 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,268 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charleston, WV has 1.9× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Charleston, WV ranks #244 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 244 | Charleston, WV | $80,230 | $62,340 | $70,268 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in West Virginia
- Huntington, WV — $81,010
- Parkersburg, WV — $79,000
- Beckley, WV — $78,680
- Wheeling, WV — $78,280
- Weirton, WV — $77,400
- Morgantown, WV — $80,130
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Charleston, WV?
The median registered nurse salary in the Charleston, WV metro area is $80,230 a year, or about $38.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,280 and $104,310.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Charleston, WV?
On the median $80,230 salary, a single filer living in West Virginia takes home about $62,340 a year ($5,195 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,932 in West Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, WV a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 11.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,268 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, WV ranks #244 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Charleston, WV?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charleston, WV is $813 a month ($1,019 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $54,370
- Pharmacy Technician — $37,930