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Whether you are still in school studying to become a nurse practitioner in West Virginia or are years into your career, you might be wondering if there are any ways to increase your salary. This article will explain how you can leverage your education, experience, and geographical location to reach your financial goals.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners in West Virginia Earn? Is Relocating Worth It?
In the great state of West Virginia, nurse practitioners earn an annual average of $113,450 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) annually. This puts West Virginia on the lower end of average in relation to other states in the country.
If you live in West Virginia, one of the best ways to maximize your earning potential is to relocate. If you are open to it, look into job opportunities in Texas or Wyoming. Those states pay nurse practitioners over $10,000 more than West Virginia per year on average, and they still have a relatively low cost of living. If you don’t want to relocate, however, there are still plenty of options for you to consider to maximize your earning potential.
West Virginia Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of West Virginia
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 100 | $112,600 |
| Charleston, WV | 320 | $107,730 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 540 | $113,930 |
| Morgantown, WV | 160 | $118,470 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 110 | $111,110 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 100 | $111,280 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 120 | $118,240 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of West Virginia
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | 200 | $108,860 |
| Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | 300 | $114,120 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Increasing Nurse Practitioner Salary in West Virginia Through Education
One of the best ways to increase your salary as a nurse practitioner in West Virginia is by furthering your education. By investing in yourself through professional development courses and continuing education, you will inevitably become so much more desirable to practices that might be willing to pay you more for your well-developed skills. Having a solid educational background can also make it that much easier for you to negotiate for higher pay.
If you’d like to look into more educational opportunities, you might want to consider checking out the opportunities available from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. By honing in on your specialities, you open so many more doors for yourself not only financially, but also in terms of personal fulfillment.
Adding Experience and Education to Your Resume as a Nurse Practitioner
Depending on your experience as a nurse practitioner, you might already have a plethora of high-quality experiences listed on your resume. When you are negotiating for a raise or interviewing for a higher-paying position, don’t be afraid to mention some of the highlights of your career. You can even connect the dots for the person you are speaking with by explaining how your experience and education make you an indispensable asset to the practice.
Negotiating Your Salary
One of the best ways to increase your salary without having to interview for a new job is to negotiate for a higher salary. Again, don’t forget to mention your incredible education and valuable experience when you are negotiating. If you feel nervous, there are so many resources you can utilize that will help prepare you to negotiate your salary.
Other Ways to Bring in Some Extra Money
You don’t have to negotiate, apply for new NP jobs, or further your education just to bring in a little bit of extra money. Especially if you were recently in school to become a nurse practitioner, consider selling your old textbooks to current students. Ask around and see if any current nurse practitioning students want some tutoring. You might be surprised how quickly someone takes you up on that offer! Students are always looking for guidance and mentorship from people who are more experienced.
You can also consider trying out freelance medical writing. These jobs tend to be very flexible, pay well, and require writers with medical experience.
Whichever route you decide to take, remember that you have some solid options to choose from as a nurse practitioner in West Virginia. If you’d like more information about being a nurse practitioner and maximizing your income in West Virginia specifically, you might want to look at the West Virginia RN Board website which explains more about expanding your career as an APRN or NP.