Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Morgantown vs Wheeling: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Morgantown, WV and Wheeling, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Morgantown, WV
$293,014
$140.87/hr
Wheeling, WV
$205,082
$98.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorgantown, WVWheeling, WV
Median Salary$293,014$205,082
Hourly Rate$140.87$98.59
Entry Level (P10)$238,068$141,673
25th Percentile$240,151$182,719
75th Percentile$347,728$251,226
Top Earner (P90)$400,118$283,120
Total Employed2005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morgantown ($293,014) and Wheeling ($205,082) nurse anesthetist salaries.MorgantownWheelingMedian Salary$293,014$205,082Entry Level (P10)$238,068$141,673Top Earner (P90)$400,118$283,120US Median $248,893

Verdict

Morgantown, WV offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wheeling.

The salary gap between Morgantown and Wheeling is $87,932 (42.88%). Morgantown's median is +17.73% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Morgantown spans $162,050,Wheeling spans $141,447. Morgantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$238,068
P25$240,151
Median$293,014
P75$347,728
P90 (Top)$400,118
Wheeling
P10 (Entry)$141,673
P25$182,719
Median$205,082
P75$251,226
P90 (Top)$283,120

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morgantown ($313,978 effective) pays 32.43% more than Wheeling ($237,089 effective).

Morgantown
Nominal: $293,014
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $313,978
Wheeling
Nominal: $205,082
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $237,089

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($293,014/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($400,118)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $313,978)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Wheeling if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Morgantown grew 43.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.3% growth in Wheeling over the same period.

Morgantown, WV

+43.8%

$193,640 (2019) → $278,530 (2025)

Wheeling, WV

+2.3%

$190,530 (2019) → $194,945 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Morgantown or Wheeling?

Morgantown has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $293,014/year, compared to Wheeling at $205,082/year — a difference of $87,932 (42.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morgantown and Wheeling?

Morgantown nurse anesthetists earn $140.87/hr while Wheeling hygienists earn $98.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Morgantown to Wheeling as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morgantown and Wheeling. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morgantown = $313,978, Wheeling = $237,089), job availability (200 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Morgantown vs Wheeling?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $238,068 in Morgantown and $141,673 in Wheeling. The Morgantown area offers higher starting salaries.
AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% 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 Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov