How Much Does an LPN Make in West Virginia in 2026?

A typical LPN in West Virginia earns about $26.61 per hour ($55,360 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $4,613 a month and $1,065 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These numbers describe typical pay across the state before city, employer, or experience change the picture.

West Virginia's typical LPN pay sits 14% below the national figure of $64,400 a year ($30.96 an hour), according to the same May 2025 data. That places the state 49th out of 51 states and territories ranked by LPN pay. Lower pay in West Virginia tends to track the state's lower cost of living. About 6,050 LPNs work across the state, giving a sense of how many people these figures represent.

Entry-level LPN positions in West Virginia typically offer around $21.96 an hour, or about $45,690 a year, according to the same wage data. Pay generally moves upward within the first few years on the job, approaching the state's typical figure of $55,360 as nurses gain experience. Setting and shift also play a role early on, with hospitals and long-term care facilities often paying differently for similar entry-level work.

Experienced LPNs in West Virginia often earn upwards of $29.47 an hour, or about $61,300 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $70,960 a year, a spread of $25,270 above the entry-level figure of $45,690. That gap mostly reflects years of experience, work setting such as hospital versus long-term care, and which city an LPN works in.

West Virginia's typical LPN pay climbed from $34,940 in 2015 to $55,360 in 2025, a gain of $20,420. That amounts to a 58% rise over the decade, according to the same government wage data. Growth wasn't perfectly steady; pay held close to $35,000-$37,000 through the late 2010s before climbing more sharply after 2021.

Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same decade, so West Virginia's increase outpaced the national trend. Pay for LPNs in the state has moved up steadily in recent years, though past growth doesn't guarantee future increases. Someone starting out now is entering the field after a period of meaningful wage gains.

Martinsburg pays LPNs the most in West Virginia, with typical pay of $64,280 a year ($30.90 an hour), about 16% above the state figure. Weirton and Steubenville follow at $58,200 a year, and Wheeling isn't far behind at $57,960. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city limits.

Morgantown pays the least among the state's tracked cities, with typical pay of $50,400 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $13,880. Huntington has the largest LPN workforce of any West Virginia city, with 1,390 workers earning a typical $54,540 a year. Higher pay in cities like Martinsburg often comes with a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't necessarily translate into more spending power.

West Virginia's LPN pay trails every one of its neighbors. Maryland pays the most, with typical pay of $74,660 a year, about 35% higher than West Virginia. Virginia and Pennsylvania also pay more, at $64,920 and $63,940 respectively, while Ohio and Kentucky pay somewhat closer at $61,950 and $60,460. LPN licensure can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which makes these comparisons practical for nurses weighing a move.

Typical LPN pay in West Virginia now stands at $55,360 a year, up 58% over the past decade. Pay is highest in Martinsburg and lowest in Morgantown, though the gap between cities is smaller than the gap between West Virginia and its neighbors. Nurses weighing a move or a new license should check West Virginia's state licensing or registry page for current requirements, and city pages for local figures.