CNA Salary

Charleston vs Weirton: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Charleston, WV and Weirton, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, WV
$38,606
$18.56/hr
Weirton, WV
$38,542
$18.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, WVWeirton, WV
Median Salary$38,606$38,542
Hourly Rate$18.56$18.53
Entry Level (P10)$34,740$33,409
25th Percentile$38,265$37,222
75th Percentile$40,438$40,491
Top Earner (P90)$46,477$44,964
Total Employed1,380660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($38,606) and Weirton ($38,542) certified nursing assistant salaries.CharlestonWeirtonMedian Salary$38,606$38,542Entry Level (P10)$34,740$33,409Top Earner (P90)$46,477$44,964US Median $45,007

Verdict

Charleston, WV offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Weirton.

The salary gap between Charleston and Weirton is $64 (0.17%). Charleston's median is -14.22% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $11,737,Weirton spans $11,555. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$34,740
P25$38,265
Median$38,606
P75$40,438
P90 (Top)$46,477
Weirton
P10 (Entry)$33,409
P25$37,222
Median$38,542
P75$40,491
P90 (Top)$44,964

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($43,516 effective) pays 0.51% more than Weirton ($43,294 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $38,606
CoL Index: 88.717
Adjusted: $43,516
Weirton
Nominal: $38,542
CoL Index: 89.024
Adjusted: $43,294

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,606/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($46,477)
  • Larger job market (1,380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,516)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Weirton if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Charleston grew 38.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 44.2% growth in Weirton over the same period.

Charleston, WV

+38.2%

$26,230 (2019) → $36,250 (2025)

Weirton, WV

+44.2%

$25,100 (2019) → $36,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Charleston or Weirton?

Charleston has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $38,606/year, compared to Weirton at $38,542/year — a difference of $64 (0.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Weirton?

Charleston certified nursing assistants earn $18.56/hr while Weirton hygienists earn $18.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Weirton as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Weirton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $43,516, Weirton = $43,294), job availability (1,380 vs 660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Charleston vs Weirton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $34,740 in Charleston and $33,409 in Weirton. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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