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Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Whether you already work there as a registered nurse (RN), are considering a move, or work in another nursing role and want to become an RN, you should compare RN salaries in Utah. This guide includes data on salary ranges, the cost of living, where RN salaries in Utah are highest, and how other nursing job salaries compare.
- Average Utah RN Salary: $72,790 (Ranks 32nd among all states)
- Hourly Utah RN Salary: $34.99
- Projected Utah RN Employment Growth (2018-2028): 28.2%
Source: BLS, Projections Central
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Average RN Salaries in Utah
The average RN salary in Utah is $72,790 annually, which ranks 32nd place among all states. The average RN hourly salary is $34.99. The lowest 10% of Utah RNs earn $59,640, while the top 10% make $95,160. The median salary for all RNs is $75,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The average salary for all jobs in the state is $53,400, which is 30.7% lower than the average RN salary in Utah. Nationally, the median RN salary is $77,600, as reported by the BLS. If you are comparing salaries across states, cost-of-living data can help you make a more accurate comparison.
| Percentile | Average Annual RN Salary | Average Hourly RN Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| 25% | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| 50% (Median) | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 75% | $79,100 | $38.03 |
| 90% | $95,160 | $45.75 |
Source: BLS
Utah RN Salary, Adjusted for Cost of Living
The cost-of-living index compares the prices of standard goods and services averaged across the entire U.S. to costs in different regions. The national average is set at 100, to make it easy to compare local figures. The index includes housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other typical expenses.
Utah's cost-of-living index is 95.3. In other words, an RN salary in Utah has 4.7% more purchasing power than in the U.S. as a whole. Adjusted for cost of living, the average RN salary in Utah is worth $76,211, making Utah the 31st highest-paying state for RNs.
- Average RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living: $76,211 (Ranks 31st among all states)
- Cost of Living Index (RPP): 95.3 (4.7% less than the U.S. average)
Highest-Paying Cities for RNs in Utah
The highest RN salaries in Utah are in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has become a regional business hub that has propelled job growth for nurses. Intermountain Healthcare, one of the largest regional health systems, is also based in Salt Lake City. The University of Utah Hospital is one of the city's largest independent hospitals.
Ogden-Clearfield hosts a regional population of approximately 550,000 and continues to grow as a business hub. McKay Dee Hospital is another major employer. Provo-Orem offers the Timpanogos Regional Hospital, the only Magnet hospital in Utah. St. George Regional Hospital, part of Intermountain Healthcare, makes up the only major trauma center in the area. The main Utah State University campus is in Logan, along with Cache Valley Hospital and Logan Regional Hospital.
| City | Average RN Salary |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | $75,570 |
| Ogden — Clearfield, UT | $70,450 |
| Provo — Orem, UT | $69,900 |
| St. George, UT | $68,490 |
| Logan, UT — ID | $67,790 |
Source: BLS
Average Salaries for Other Nursing Roles in Utah
The average annual RN salary in Utah is more than twice the annual nursing assistant salary and 35.7% higher than the average licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) salary. If you want to earn more, a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree prepares you to become a nurse midwife or nurse practitioner. Nurse midwives make almost double the annual RN salary in Utah.
- Nursing Assistants: $30,630
- LPN/LVNs: $50,740
- Nurse Midwives: $143,890
- Nurse Practitioners: $112,920
Methodology and Sources
Registered nursing salary data by state is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, released on March 31, 2022. Data reflects RN salaries as of May 2021. The highest-paying cities and states for RNs are ranked by average annual salary.
Cost-of-living data is collected from the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis real personal income for states and metropolitan areas, released on December 14, 2021. RN salary adjusted for cost of living is calculated by multiplying each state's RN salary by its regional price parity (RPP). RPP measures differences in the cost of goods and services in a region compared to national prices.
Projected employment growth data by state is collected from Projections Central.
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