Real Estate Agent Pay

Charleston vs Morgantown: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Charleston, WV and Morgantown, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, WV
$52,445
$25.21/hr
Morgantown, WV
$44,407
$21.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, WVMorgantown, WV
Median Salary$52,445$44,407
Hourly Rate$25.21$21.35
Entry Level (P10)$26,380$29,617
25th Percentile$38,174$34,607
75th Percentile$65,802$56,841
Top Earner (P90)$107,184$68,831
Total Employed508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($52,445) and Morgantown ($44,407) real estate agent salaries.CharlestonMorgantownMedian Salary$52,445$44,407Entry Level (P10)$26,380$29,617Top Earner (P90)$107,184$68,831US Median $53,622

Verdict

Charleston, WV offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Morgantown.

The salary gap between Charleston and Morgantown is $8,038 (18.10%). Charleston's median is -2.19% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $80,804,Morgantown spans $39,214. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$26,380
P25$38,174
Median$52,445
P75$65,802
P90 (Top)$107,184
Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$29,617
P25$34,607
Median$44,407
P75$56,841
P90 (Top)$68,831

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($59,115 effective) pays 15.15% more than Morgantown ($51,338 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $52,445
CoL Index: 88.717
Adjusted: $59,115
Morgantown
Nominal: $44,407
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $51,338

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 ($52,445/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,184)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,115)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Morgantown if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Charleston grew 26.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 112.7% growth in Morgantown over the same period.

Charleston, WV

+26.1%

$40,990 (2019) → $51,670 (2025)

Morgantown, WV

+112.7%

$20,570 (2019) → $43,751 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Charleston or Morgantown?

Charleston has a higher median real estate agent salary at $52,445/year, compared to Morgantown at $44,407/year — a difference of $8,038 (18.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Morgantown?

Charleston real estate agents earn $25.21/hr while Morgantown hygienists earn $21.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Morgantown as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Morgantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $59,115, Morgantown = $51,338), job availability (50 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Charleston vs Morgantown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $26,380 in Charleston and $29,617 in Morgantown. The Morgantown area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience as a real estate agent. She specializes in residential properties. She works with a large brokerage in Texas.

Clinically reviewed by David Chen, REALTOR®Data verified by Fatima Ali, REALTOR®

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.50% 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 Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov