SOC 31-1131 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Nursing Assistants — Southern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Southern West Virginia, WV is $36,440 a year, trailing the national median of $42,260 by 13.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Southern West Virginia, WV is $36,440 a year, trailing the national median of $42,260 by 13.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $32,710 and $37,560. The lowest tenth earn under $30,500, while the highest tenth earn more than $41,990.
The area has 1,090 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 14.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Huntington records the highest median at $37,140. Of the 282 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 205th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,500 | −27.8% |
| 25th | $32,710 | −22.6% |
| Median (50th) | $36,440 | −13.8% |
| 75th | $37,560 | −11.1% |
| 90th | $41,990 | −0.6% |
| Mean | $36,100 | −14.6% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington | $37,140 | 1,950 | |
| 2 | Wheeling | $36,910 | 910 | |
| 3 | Charleston | $36,250 | 1,380 | |
| 4 | Parkersburg | $36,220 | 400 | |
| 5 | Weirton | $36,190 | 660 | |
| 6 | Morgantown | $35,880 | 1,310 | |
| 7 | Beckley | $35,810 | 590 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southern West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $36,440 goes as far as $40,715 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,715US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,440 a year, 13.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,500 to $41,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,090 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntington, at $37,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Nursing Assistants in Southern West Virginia, WV?
The median annual wage is $36,440, or $17.52 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $42,260, so pay in Southern West Virginia, WV is 13.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southern West Virginia, WV earns more than $41,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,500 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Huntington, at $37,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,090 jobs in this occupation in Southern West Virginia, WV. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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