Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in West Virginia: $38,834 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $38,834/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,895 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Martinsburg ($42,076), Huntington ($37,140), Wheeling ($36,910).
In West Virginia, the average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is projected to be $38,834, which is 13.7% lower than the national median of $45,007. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Martinsburg emerging as the highest-paying city at $44,811, while Clarksburg ranks as the lowest at $35,777, demonstrating a salary gap of $9,034. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and facility funding. West Virginia's state-specific licensing requirements for CNAs include completing a state-approved training program and passing a competency exam. The state’s scope of practice laws help define the roles and responsibilities of CNAs, ensuring a clear understanding of their duties. Demand for CNAs is expected to drive job growth, anticipated at a 6.50% annual compound growth rate. With a total of 7,219 CNAs employed across 11 metro areas, the job market outlook appears promising. Top cities for employment include Huntington at $39,554, Wheeling at $39,309, Charleston at $38,606, and Parkersburg at $38,574. This growth aligns with the increasing healthcare demands facing the state.
West Virginia Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $31,342 (lowest entry-level) to $50,675 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia certified nursing assistants earn 13.72% less than the national median ($-6,173/year difference).
West Virginia Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in West Virginia range from $34,341 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $46,913 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $38,834. The West Virginia median is $6,173 below the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $18.67/hr. Approximately 7,219 certified nursing assistants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,002
2025 BLS Actual
$36,464
2026 Current Est.
$38,834
2019–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,002 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,077 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,398 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,464 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,834 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,359 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 40.2% from $26,002 (2019) to $36,464 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,359 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,357 (59.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Virginia 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 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clarksburg | $35,777 |
| Fairmont | $35,896 |
| South Charleston | $36,951 |
| Beckley | $38,138 |
| Morgantown | $38,212 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $44,811 | 86.5 | $51,805 |
| Huntington | $39,554 | 88.422 | $44,733 |
| Wheeling | $39,309 | 88.323 | $44,506 |
| Parkersburg | $38,574 | 87.066 | $44,304 |
| Charleston | $38,606 | 88.717 | $43,516 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,341 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $38,834 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $46,913 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $44,811 |
| 2 | Huntington | $39,554 |
| 3 | Wheeling | $39,309 |
| 4 | Charleston | $38,606 |
| 5 | Parkersburg | $38,574 |
| 6 | Weirton | $38,542 |
| 7 | Morgantown | $38,212 |
| 8 | Beckley | $38,138 |
| 9 | South Charleston | $36,951 |
| 10 | Fairmont | $35,896 |
| 11 | Clarksburg | $35,777 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does West Virginia certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
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How many certified nursing assistants are employed in West Virginia?
Which West Virginia city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov