Media & Communications Morgantown, WV Pop. 30,955

Journalist Salary in Morgantown, West Virginia

The median journalist salary in Morgantown, WV is $50,364 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 7.1% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$50,364
vs State Avg
+$3,358
vs National
$-5,596
Cost of Living
90%

Journalist Pay in Morgantown: What to Expect (2026)

Morgantown offers a median journalist salary of $50,364, which is $3,358 above the West Virginia state average of $47,006. Compared to the national median of $55,960, Morgantown pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Morgantown's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for journalists in Morgantown spans from $28,800 at the 10th percentile to $99,000 at the 90th percentile — a $70,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,500, while senior journalists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $90,000. Morgantown is a smaller market (pop. 30,955), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Journalist Salary in Morgantown by Experience

In Morgantown, an entry-level journalist earns around $31,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $90,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,500
$-3,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,200
$-5,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$90,000
$-10,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Morgantown, WV

Percentile Morgantown
10th Percentile $28,800
25th Percentile $36,000
Median (50th) $50,364
75th Percentile $70,200
90th Percentile $99,000

Journalist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Charleston, WV
$49,245
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$45,887
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$44,768
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$43,649
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Journalist in Morgantown

Education

Most journalist positions require a bachelor's degree. Morgantown and the surrounding West Virginia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

WritingInvestigative ResearchInterviewingAP StyleCMS PlatformsSocial Media

Job Outlook

Nationally, journalist employment is projected to grow -3% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Morgantown may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Journalist Jobs in Morgantown

Browse open journalist positions in Morgantown, WV:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary in Morgantown

How much does a Journalist make in Morgantown, WV? ▼
The median journalist salary in Morgantown, West Virginia is $50,364 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $55,960. Salaries range from $28,800 (10th percentile) to $99,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Journalist make per hour in Morgantown? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $50,364, a journalist in Morgantown earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Morgantown compare to the West Virginia state average for journalist pay? ▼
Morgantown's median journalist salary of $50,364 is 7.1% above the West Virginia state average of $47,006. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Morgantown, WV? ▼
Morgantown has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a journalist salary of $50,364 in Morgantown has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a journalist in Morgantown? ▼
Most journalist positions in Morgantown require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Writing, Investigative Research, Interviewing, AP Style. The job market is projected to grow -3% nationally over the next decade.